Alan was born to Claude and Betty Ridge on March 10th, 1953, and was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, TN. He was married to Andrea Ridge for 52 wonderful years, had two children Scott and Jeff, and four grandchildren Vivi, Ansley, Cooper, and Ellie that he loved dearly. He was a devout Christian and a member of The Ministry Center in Hixson, TN.
Alan was a 1971 graduate of Red Bank High School where he excelled as a four-sport athlete and was awarded a football scholarship to Ole Miss: University of Mississippi. He was employed at Archer Daniels Midland, formerly Central Soya, for 30 years as a Plant Manager. He later moved into the automobile industry and completed a very successful career as a car salesman at Integrity Buick, GMC, & Cadillac. He was a hard worker and a friend to many throughout his working years.
Alan’s greatest love was his wife, family, and the church. He exemplified Christ as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved reminiscing about the glory days of his playing career at Red Bank, Ole Miss, and North Chattanooga Church of God. He remembered every teammate, every play that was called, every pitch thrown, and relished every moment. In his free time, you would find him cheering on his grandkids from the stands, watching the Crimson Tide, or enjoying a beach trip or cabin trip with his family. He enjoyed playing golf and was a long-time member of Creeks Bend Golf Club. He loved his church dearly and was a member of the choir where he loved singing praises to the Lord.
Alan is preceded in death by his father, Claude Ridge; grandparents, Hiram and Lena Ridge, and Charles and Lessie Jones; and sister-in-law, Ginger Ridge.
He is survived by his loving wife, Andrea; children, Scott (Beth) and Jeff (Amie); grandchildren, Vivi, Ansley, Cooper, and Ellie; mother, Betty Ridge; brother Lamar; sister Rhonda Griffith (Delton); and several members of his extended family.
Visitation and the celebration of life service will be held at The Ministry Center, 2929 Hamill Road, Hixson. Visitation hours are Sunday, March 15th from 3:00-5:00 PM EST and Monday,
March 16th from 12:00-2:00 PM EST with the celebration of life service immediately following at 2:00.
Interment will be held at Hamilton Memorial Gardens, Highway 153, Hixson.
The Ridge family would like to thank Dr. Anz and the staff at TN Oncology and all the nurses and technicians in the Oncology Unit at Memorial Hospital for their outstanding care during the past two months. You are like family to us now, and we are forever grateful for your love and care.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Alan’s memory can be made to The Ministry Center, his church that he so dearly loved. Information and link are below… Giving.theminstrycenter.org
The Ministry Center
2929 Hamill Road
Hixson, TN 37343
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
