AULANDER – Vernon Francis Riddick, lovingly known as “Papa Goon”, age 84 of Aulander died Friday, December 3, 2010 at Roanoke Chowan Hospital.

He was born July 21, 1926 in Hertford County to the late James T. Riddick and Maybelle J. Riddick. He was married to the late Virginia Hughes Riddick for 50 years.

He was a WWII US Army veteran serving in the Philippines, a Commercial Printer for the News Herald, a Farmer, and a proud member of Ahoskie United Methodist Church. He was very proud to be from a large family in Hertford County and enjoyed his grandchildren tremendously.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Ahoskie United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. Rev Lee Edwards will officiate.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Bart Riddick and his wife, Charlotte, of Ahoskie and Tim Riddick and his wife, Pam, of Pendleton; six grandchildren, Erin Riddick, Chase Riddick, Alex Riddick, Chase Colson, Thomas Riddick and Brooke Colson; and two sisters, Barbara Bowen of Ahoskie and Carolyn Wooten of Clemmons.

Mr. Riddick was preceded in death by five brothers and one sister; Emily, John, James T., Malcolm, Leon and Ed.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie. Memorials may be made to the Ahoskie United Methodist Church.

Family and friends may send condolences to www.garrettjonesfh.com

Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie is serving the Riddick family.