Upon graduating from Bogalusa High School in 1953, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Braves. He chose to further his education and attended Southeastern Louisiana University (then college) on a football scholarship. Ken excelled at sports and played quarterback for the Lions and shortstop on the baseball team. He graduated with an accounting degree in 1957. He was drafted that same year by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but chose family over baseball. He continued his love of sports by playing golf and tennis. He also coached for the American Legion and Little League baseball teams. Along with his mixed doubles partner Linda Fortenberry, he advanced to the finals of the Lipton Tea National Amateur Tennis Championship in 1977.
Ken began his career in accounting at Ernst and Ernst on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, home to his wife Millie Covas. Ken and Millie met and married while at Southeastern. After two years, the couple returned to Louisiana, and he worked for several accounting firms in the Bogalusa area through the years before relocating to Baton Rouge. Ken retired as a CPA and auditor for the City/Parish of Baton Rouge after serving for 25 years.
His greatest joy was spending time with his wife and family. He loved to grill chicken wings and kept his recipe secret for years. Vacations were always spent in Puerto Rico with family exploring the tropical paradise.
Kenneth is survived by his beloved wife, Mildred “Millie” (Covas) Ridgdell; his children Kenneth “Kennie” Ridgdell, Jr. (Lori LeBlanc), Bruce Ridgdell (Dawn Watson), and Lisa Ridgdell Blackshear (Timothy); and five grandchildren: Mandi Ridgdell Mueller (John); D.J. Ridgdell (fiancée Shannan Schexnayder); Morgan Ridgdell Porter (Dayton); Brooke Blackshear Scardina (Brenton); and Brianna Blackshear (fiancé Juan Hernandez). He is also survived by his two beloved great grandchildren Madelynn Jayde Porter and Emma Therese Mueller.
Kenneth is preceded in death by his mother and father, and two brothers and a sister.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 12:00 Noon with visitation at the church on Tuesday beginning at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow the services in St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden, Covington, LA 70433.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Kenneth may be made to one of the following charities: American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, or the Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association.
An online guestbook is available at www.gracenorthshore.com.
