Phillip E. Ridens

I learned so much from my dad — the practical things like repairs, yard work and working on cars.  When I was young, I helped him with a lot of different things and he was always there to guide me and show me the right way to do it.  Thanks to Dad, I can figure out how to fix things myself.  But I learned a lot of intangible things from him that are more important — the values, principles and integrity that he had, and that he taught me.  A good father, he was concerned about my spiritual development and salvation.  Maybe I didn’t always want to listen, but I did — even if he didn’t know it.  I feel blessed that he is my father.

Dad was always a strong man, a hard worker, and always willing to help others.  He had his regrets — but I have long had respect for his genuine commitment to following God and working on being the person that God wants him to be.  Dad believed in doing better, and I am thankful for his example and instilling this in me.

Dad, I will miss our visits, and our time together and getting a hug from you.  Thanks for everything, Dad.  I will always love you.  I will miss you a lot, Dad, but it’s not goodbye, it’s “see you later!”

Love you always,

Shawn

Dad’s Obituary

Dad accomplished a variety of things in life, as was known by a variety of people.  He traveled for Motorola, was an airplane pilot, owned his own carpet cleaning business, did Bible-based counseling, along with a plethora of other things.  He was known as a husband, father, uncle, son, granddaddy, father-in-law, and friend.  As a son of his, the fondest memories I have of him are camping/boating, fishing, his passion for flying, getting me a go-cart one Christmas, being supportive of my Boy Scouts and being at all my soccer games, taking me to see Garth Brooks, his fatherly love and patience when I wrecked the family car, being my best man when I got married, and when he met his two grandchildren, along with so many more.

Of Dad’s accomplishments and the many ways people knew him, the most important was that he was a brother in Christ, pursuing, striving, and embracing a personal relationship with God our Father.  If I can think of one word to sum up all of his life, both spiritually and humanly, it would be sanctification- the cooperative work of God and Christians by which ongoing transformation into greater Christlikeness occurs. It takes persistence, something that Dad embraced for 83 years in a variety of ways, but most importantly in his walk with the Lord.  He ran the race, and I am confident that he was embraced with “well done, good and faithful servant.”

You will be missed and I look forward to worshiping and glorifying our Father alongside of you.