Albert Earl Riddle 1949 — 2024
Albert Earl Riddle passed into the arms of his Savior on Friday, May 24, 2024. He was born on October 28,1949 in Kirksville, Missouri to Clyde Lee and Marjorie Ellen Riddle.
He graduated from Alva High School in 1967 where he enjoyed track, choir and debate. He then attended and graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1971 with a degree in English.
When the first draft lottery was instituted, his was one of the first four numbers picked to serve in the Vietnam Conflict. From 1971-1975 he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Upon being honorably discharged, he returned to Northwestern Oklahoma State University to earn a Masters degree in Education.
For the next 43 years, he taught English and Speech at Tonkawa High School for thirteen years and then Northern Oklahoma College for thirty years until retiring in 2019. At Tonkawa High School he enjoyed coaching girl’s basketball and track. One of his greatest joys was seeing students whom he had taught turn into good citizens as they grew older.
When his sons Brian and Kelly were younger, they spent many a summer day on horseback riding the banks of the Salt Fork River by their home in Tonkawa. Memories and lessons were made with his sons that will last their lifetimes. Al loved horses and in particular, his horse, Smokey.
He enjoyed writing stories that his family could enjoy for years to come. One story, Two Bears’ Run was a finalist for the Oklahoma Young Adult Book Award in 2007.
Al was married to Mary Ferguson on October 8, 1988. They enjoyed thirty-five years of a loving marriage and making a life together with their boys.
Al loved his family (immediate and extended) and enjoyed anytime the whole family could gather and enjoy a meal, play cards or just visit. He especially loved watching his granddaughters in their many pursuits and achievements and going on shopping trips where he lovingly said he was the “mule”, carrying their many shopping bags and just delighting in their special time together.
A man of strong faith, he never missed an opportunity to share his love for Jesus. He loved his daily talks with the Lord and studying his Bible. A member of Northeast Baptist Church in Ponca City, he and Mary taught four and five year olds in Sunday School for many years and also cooked and served with their church at Friendship Feast.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary; sons Brian of Bartlesville and Kelly of Ponca City. Granddaughters Haley and Reagan of Bartlesville and Ally of Ponca City.
Three sisters, Rebecca Buck (Lane) of Anthony, KS, Lois Sampson (Danny) of Arkansas City, KS and Peggy Williams (Michael) of Shattuck, OK. He had one brother, Mark Riddle (Barbara) of Brazoria, TX, brothers-in-law, Glenn Ferguson of Owasso, OK and Scott Ferguson (Julie) of Sand Springs, OK as well as a host of much loved nieces and nephews.
Anyone wishing to contribute to a memorial may give to Northeast Baptist Church, designating either the Children’s Ministry or Friendship Feast. The family would also like to thank all the compassionate individuals at Hospice of North Central Oklahoma. They were truly a blessing in his final days.