Richard "Rick" A. Grider

Richard "Rick" Allen Grider, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle passed away peacefully at his home on June 29, 2024. He was born on February 15, 1949 in New Jersey. He grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he was an avid tennis player and spent many hours snorkeling with his Uncle Al. After high school he joined the Air Force where he met his loving wife, Linda (Wilkinson). They married in June 1973 in North Carolina and traveled across the country to reside in Nevada for Rick to attend the American School of Diamond Cutting. They eventually moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where they reared their family and Rick attended nursing school at OLOL. He specialized in pediatric nursing and was loved by all his patients. He was active in Boy Scouts, Broadmoor Presbyterian Church and Camp Feliciana where he led multiple groups on canoeing trips to Buffalo River, Arkansas. He also volunteered his time for several summers as a nurse for the Louisiana Lions Club summer camp for children with diabetes. Little known facts about Rick include that he was an egg drop soup connoisseur and collector of rocks, turtles and pinecones. He was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him, especially his cats.

Rick is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda; daughter, Stacy Crenshaw (Harvey); son, Derek Grider (Tasia); grandkids, Colburn and McKinley Crenshaw; sister, Kim McGowan (Tom); brother in law, John Wilkinson (Barbara); sister in law, Eunice Wilkinson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Barbara Grider, his in-laws, John and Janet Wilkinson and his brother in law, Maurice Wilkinson.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Memorial Service for Rick on Monday, July 8, at 11 AM in the sanctuary at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, 9340 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA. Visitation will begin at 10 AM. A reception will follow the service.