Everyone at Cowsmopolitan extends our most sincere sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Andrew Theodore “Ted” Ridgely.
In his 85th year, with a fruitful, and fulfilling life, Andrew Theodore “Ted” Ridgely arrived into the awaiting arms of his savior Jesus Christ. He passed peacefully at his home on September 16, 2017, surrounded by his family.
Born on February 22, 1933, on the family farm in West Friendship, MD, Ted was the son of the late Charles Wilbur and Charlotte Wagner Ridgely. He was the loving husband of Ruth Ensor Ridgely.
Ted attended Lisbon High School and graduated from Franklin High School as a star basketball player. While in high school he formed his passion for the dairy industry working at Logwood Farms. There he took great pride traveling to state and national cattle shows and fitting a champion cow, Fobes, which spawned his ambition to pursue his education at the University of Maryland. There he won honors on dairy judging teams, achieved Alpha Zeta academic awards, and earned his degree in dairy science in 1960. While at college, he met his cherished wife Ruth whom he married August 25, 1957. Ted and Ruth celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 27th with family and friends.
Following graduation, Ted managed the UMD Research Farm before moving to West Virginia in 1964 to manage the Kingwood Cattle Company. In 1970 they moved to Traveler’s Rest Farm, New Windsor, which was Ruth’s family’s farm. There he worked for North American Breeders until 1980. He finished his professional career as the MD & WV Sales Division Manager for the MD Artificial Breeders Cooperative which later became Sire Power. He was honored for his contribution to the dairy industry when inducted into the Maryland Dairy Shrine in 2008.
After retiring in 1994, he filled his time enjoying his most cherished blessings – his children, their families, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed taking them on tractor rides, playing with the next litter of beagle puppies, swinging on the rope swing in the barn, letting them drive his golf cart, and guiding his children and grandchildren on their 4-H animal projects and showmanship. He loved to make people laugh and will be remembered for always having a joke to tell, having something up his sleeve, and introducing himself with his trick pinky. He also enjoyed raising Black Angus cattle, sheep, and gardening. His annual goals were growing a ripe tomato prior to Ruth’s June 24th birthday, finding the best variety of sweet corn, and sharing God’s bounty with anyone who visited. He loved crabs, his beagles, and border collies. He was a huge sports fan, cheering on his Terps and watching horse races. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. His love for the Lord and deep faith guided his family to their own personal relationships with Christ. Ted was confident that the Lord knew best throughout his latest journey, accepted His decision, and was at peace knowing he had attained all of his goals, plus more.
Surviving in addition to his wife are son, Andrew Jay Ridgely and wife Jayne (Parks) of Freeland; daughter, Christine F. Bennett of New Windsor; son, Dean Alan Ridgely and wife Debbie (Yedinak) of Mt. Airy; brother, O. Lee Ridgely and wife Lynne (Collins) of Beverly Hills, FL; grandchildren Joshua Ridgely and wife Lisa (Rill), Justin Ridgely and wife Shin (Ho), Abigail Ridgely, Colton Ridgely, Jessica (Bennett) Arbab and husband Paul, Keith Bennett, Delanie Ridgely, and Ashley Ridgely; great grandchildren Madilyn, Ronin, Joshua, Leilani, Mason and Chase. He was predeceased by his brother Charles Ridgely and son-in-law Kevin Bennett.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 23, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 200 Main Street, New Windsor. Officiating will be Rev. Elza Hurst, a retired United Methodist pastor, and grandson, Joshua Ridgely. Interment will follow in Bethel Cemetery, 3001 Hooper Road, New Windsor.
The family will receive friends at Hartzler Funeral Home, 310 Church Street, New Windsor, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 21 and 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 22 and at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 250, New Windsor, MD 21776 or Maryland Dairy Shrine Inc., Dr. Matt Iager, 20608 Mill Point Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713.
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