Harry Stuart Riddick Sr., 89, of the 100 block of N. Academy Street, died Monday, May 25, 2009 in Guardian Care of Ahoskie.
A native of Gates County, he was a graduate of East Carolina Teacher’s College, now East Carolina University, he had been a standout on both its baseball and basketball teams.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he was selected by former heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney, then a Naval officer, to assist in the planning and implementing of a Navy-wide physical fitness program. Later he saw combat service in amphibious operations during the invasion of North Africa and in the Western Pacific.
After the war, he began a career spanning over 50 years in the farm equipment business, managing Turner Equipment Co. in Gatesville, and later Whedbee Equipment Co. in Ahoskie.
In the early 1970’s, he founded Riddick International, Inc. in Ahoskie, an International Harvester and later Case International dealership which he operated until his retirement several years ago.
A member of Colerain Baptist Church, he had been a member of Gatesville Masonic Lodge #126 for over 50 years.
Surviving are his wife, Arline M. Riddick; a daughter, Nancy M. Riddick of Colerain; three sons, Harry Stuart Riddick Jr. of Arlington, VA and Nat Riddick and Jefferson B. Riddick, both of Ahoskie; four grandchildren; a step-son, Joseph V. Morris of Beaufort; a sister, Naomi R. Powell of Middlesex; and a brother, Alfred M. Riddick of Norfolk, VA.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at in Gatesville Baptist Church by the Revs. Don Roberts, Shelby Stephens and Gene Asbill. Burial will follow in the Gatesville Cemetery.
Friends may join the family from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, and other times at home of Nat and Lou Riddick, 122 Forest Drive, Ahoskie.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Colerain Rescue Squad or the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Dept.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.millerfhc.com.