Enjoy the Slide Show with 94 years of Ridgeway Memories!

It Takes About 20 Minutes.  You Can Always Come Back to Finish It!

Jim Ridgeway left this earthly world on Monday, August 15, 2022 and is now living the heavenly life with Minnie and their dogs.  Jim was 94 years old. Minnie died in January 2020 at age 90.  

Sandy and I had the pleasure of knowing Jim and Minnie for 53+ years.  In 1969 Jim hired me right out of high school to work at General Refractories in our hometown of Claysburg, PA.  That began our friendship of 53 years.  Jim was the best boss that I ever had in my entire business career.  He was kind, caring, gentle and always wanted his employees to be the people looking good.  Jim never wanted to take the credit for anything.  His attitude was that "if you looked good, you were a success, and he would also look good."

Our business relationship spanned 18 years.  I worked for him for 13 of those years.  In 1982, I was transferred to Pittsburgh as Vice President of Operations, and Jim became Vice President of Sales.  For three years we were equals.  Then I became President of the company and Jim worked for me!  It never affected our relationship.  He was my mentor from day one until he took his last breath in August, 2022.

After I left General Refractories Company, I moved three miles from where Jim and Minnie lived in Pittsburgh.  Our friendship continued, and we saw each other weekly and talked almost daily.  Then in December 1989, Jim and Minnie moved to Wittman, MD with a long overdue retirement.

They made one mistake, they invited us to visit the Land of Pleasant Living on the eastern shore of Maryland, and we instantly fell in love with it.  Our friends also visited them.  Our good friends, Roger and Pam Knisely and Sandy and I would make monthly treks to Wittman with our children to go fishing, eat great seafood and to enjoy the company of Jim and Minnie and others on the eastern shore.  Cousin Hermie Harrison always made certain that there were crabs and oysters to eat continually in the bottom of the barn.  Then we would pass out full of food and sleep in the top of the barn.  These monthly trips continued as our kids grew up, and their friends also fondly remember the trips.  In 2000 Jim sold his boat, but we continued to visit.

From the time of their retirement until the death of Jim, they called daily early in the morning.  It was basically a check in to let us know that they were ok.  Later on Minnie's I-pad became a better connection seeing them via Facetime.  When we visited, Minnie and Jim welcomed us with open arms.  Minnie was always in that jovial mood.   We all had a great love for Jim and Minnie.

I do not ever recall a major disagreement doing business with Jim.  I do not ever remember harsh words ever being spoken by him in any situation.  However, he did have his opinions on politics, and many times we all chose not to discuss them.  He was a devout Republican.  He only ever voted for one Democrat in his entire 94 years, and that was when local Buddy Harrison ran for County Commissioner in Talbot County.  He told me that Cousin Hermie talked him into it, and that he regretted it the rest of his life.

I could tell thousands of stories better than "On Golden Pond," and could have written books on our business ventures, but oh the memories.  They will forever be in our minds.

Rest easy Jim.  We know that Minnie and all your dogs were waiting at the Pearly Gates as you arrived with Minnie standing there asking "What took you so long to get here?"  We all will genuinely miss you, but you have given us a lifetime of stories to tell.  We have always loved you two.

                                                                                                           --Rich Allison

Jim Ridgeway

1928-2022

Jim and Minnie Ridgeway

A memorial service for Jim Ridgeway will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 1 pm at the Tilghman United Methodist Church, Tilghman, MD.  Obituary will be published when available.

Minnie Ridgeway

1929-2020

Allison Farm - Claysburg, PA

Thomas "Jim" & Minnie Ridgeway

Jim and Minnie Ridgeway at a Claysburg, PA

Claysburg-Kimmel Homecoming Parade

as Parade Marshalls