John Lawrence Riddell

January 12, 1932 – July 15, 2025

John Lawrence Riddell, known to all as Jack, passed away on July 15, 2025, at the age of 93. Jack is remembered for his strength of character, intelligence, determination, amazing work ethic, boisterous laugh, love of books, and dedication to his wife and daughters. Born on January 12, 1932, at Riverside Community Hospital, he was the sixth child born to Bernardine and Stanley Riddell. Jack had two brothers, Stanley known as Bill and Richard known as Dick, and four sisters, Donna known as Pat, Janis, Rosalie, and Carol. He attended elementary and high school at St. Bernardine’s Catholic School in San Bernardino and graduated in 1949. He went to San Bernardino Valley College for 2 years and then was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 for the Korean War. He served 2 years in Okinawa as a rifleman and when he returned home was accepted into University of California Berkeley. Due to the GI Bill, he was able to attend and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Jack went to work with the State of California Division of Highways in San Bernardino after graduation. He was an amazing civil engineer and in 1963 formed an engineering partnership with H.F. (Buck) Strahm. A year later they formed C.H.J. Incorporated, which was an engineering materials laboratory. Jack became the sole owner of CHJ and grew the business into a thriving company. In 1984, along with eight local businessmen, he formed the Bank of San Bernardino which was later renamed the Business Bank of California. He enjoyed being on the bank board of directors and taking on new work challenges. Jack met the love of his life, Barbara Juré, on his birthday in 1959 and they were married later that year. Jack and Barbara were married for 61 years until Barbara died in 2021. They had four wonderful daughters, five beautiful grandchildren, and three great grandchildren to whom they devoted much time, energy, and love. Jack retired in 2004 to spend more time with his wife and family and to enjoy vacations in Hawaii. He will be greatly missed by his brother Dick Riddell and sister Carol Duesler; his daughters and sons-in-law, Jeannie Garcia, Jackie and Shepherd Booth, Joan and Jim Hynes, and Judy and Allan Lamkin; his grandchildren, Dr. Mary Booth and husband Richard Ortiz, Chris Garcia and wife Mariela Villalba, Kathleen Lamkin-Fulsher and husband Quentin Fulsher, Michael Lamkin and wife Sophia Kostas, and Ryan Lamkin; and by his three great grandchildren. Jack will also be greatly missed by his large extended family filled with nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and brother-in-law. Funeral Services for Jack will be held on Wednesday, August 6th at Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery in San Bernardino. Viewing will be at 10:00am and funeral service at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his honor to your favorite Veterans' Charity.