Loren Lee Berridge was born to Albert Lee and Velma Lucille Berridge on July 8, 1942 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He was surrounded by his family at his home in Midwest City, OK as he entered Heaven peacefully on February 12, 2019. Loren married Peggy Louise Sullivan Berridge 56 1/2 years ago on August 1, 1962. They have three daughters, Pauline Louise Cruz of Austin, TX, Lora Louise Moran of Midwest City and Amy Louise Hatten of Minot, ND. Loren's career as a computer technician would take him and Peggy from Kansas City to Sabetha, KS to Redondo Beach, CA to Austin, TX then to their home in Newalla, OK where he loved gardening, fishing, cutting firewood and - most of all - loving and enjoying his family. Loren later became an independent insurance adjuster and traveled to locations devastated by hurricanes and tornadoes in Florida, Texas, CA, Virginia, Maryland, Missouri and across Oklahoma. Loren was ordained as a deacon at Hilltop Baptist Church, Newalla, OK in 2002. He taught Sunday School for over thirty years until his failing health made it impossible to continue. He was a faithful servant to their church family. Watching football was a favorite pastime and Branson, MO his favorite vacation spot. He loved taking his family to the state fair and Silver Dollar City. When they lived in Austin, Loren had a sail boat, and Polly has fond memories of sailing with her dad on Lake Travis. His greatest achievement and proudest moments are defined as an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. He honored his parents and had a great relationship with his brother, Ronald Berridge. Many of his vacations were used to travel out of state to family reunions. Loren was preceded in death by his parents Albert Lee Berridge and Velma Lucille Liles Berridge. He is survived by wife, Peggy of the home, daughters Pauline Louise Cruz and husband Anastacio Cruz of Austin, TX, Lora Louise Moran of Midwest City, and Amy Louise Hatten and husband Christopher Hatten of Minot, ND. Loren’s brother Ronald Berridge and wife Joyce reside in Palo Pinto, TX. Loren and Peggy have seven grandchildren: Monica, Adrian, Bryan, Kaylee, Ashlyn, Audrie, and Wyatt. They also have five great-grandchildren: John David, Brealyn, Kitiana, Adrian, Jr., and Jayla. Nephews: Rex (Tiffany), and Christopher. Great-nephews: Reid, Drew, and Paul. He has one Aunt, Delma Mace. Loren will be remembered by the way he loved and appreciated the simpler things of life. His gardening, fishing, and cutting firewood were more than just hobbies. He saw them as a way he could help provide for his family from the work of his own hands. As a child, he even used a horse-drawn plow to prepare the soil for the next planting season. His modest upbringing in Arkansas instilled in him a strong work ethic and a sense of gratitude for everything he had and shared with others. He had an instant kinship with Keifer, a stray dog Peggy and Amy found and brought home as a surprise. Keifer followed Loren throughout his work day, including long car trips while Loren worked insurance claims. Their poodle Nemo is a different story (smile). Nemo’s bark really is worse than his bite and kept him in –yes—the dog house with Loren much of the time. But Nemo was Loren’s faithful friend until the very end. Loren and Peggy’s rural home in Newalla was always warm and welcoming, especially when it was cold enough for him to have built a roaring fire in their fireplace. Family gatherings there will always be remembered for lots of laughter, good food, and so many good stories from a life well lived. Loren loved his God and his country and never shied away from expressing his faith or his patriotism. His doctors and nurses loved Loren’s positive attitude and were amazed at his perseverance. Loren used that as an opportunity to share his faith and the hope he had in Heaven. His courage and faith over the past three years will continue to inspire and challenge us to face our own lives just as he did. Lora said her dad not only taught her how to live, but how to die. He knew he was God’s hands, and he knew where he was going.
