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Mr. James Adam Ridenhour, 94, of Cooleemee, passed away Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 at his home.

He was born on Aug. 28, 1929 in Davie County to the late Cicero Richard and Eva Hellard Ridenhour.

Mr. Ridenhour was Cooleemee born and raised, only moving away to serve in the U.S. Army and would later move back “home” in 1998. He served over 21 years, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant, was a Bronze Star recipient for his service in the Vietnam War, and served in Korea. Mr. Ridenhour attended Cooleemee Presbyterian Church for many years and was an active member of Cooleemee V.F.W. Post 1119 and the Cooleemee Civitan Club. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, drives through the countryside, especially the Blue Ridge Parkway, and growing tomatoes.  Mr. Ridenhour also enjoyed mowing on his zero-turn lawnmower and did so until the age of 93. He frequented Maw Maw’s Kitchen and Hot Diggity Diner for breakfast and met for coffee almost every weekday morning at Davie Discount Pharmacy. On Monday evenings, he could be found at Blue Bay Seafood in Salisbury. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by: a wife, Magdaline “Maggie”; a 2nd wife, Pauline; siblings, Richard “Buck”, Thomas, Bruce, Kathleen, Rachel, Nancy, and Edna; and 2 step-children, James Dean McConnell and Robert Lee McConnell.

Survivors include: his 3 children, Mitchell Ridenhour (Julia), James Ridenhour (Linda), and Roger McConnell; grandchildren, Miraquel, Nathan (Lucy), Amy (James), John, Craig (Allison), Christopher (Kellie), Steven, Jonathan, and Sara; 9 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close relatives.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3 at Eaton Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Allen Mullins officiating.  Interment will follow in Liberty Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be considered for: Cooleemee V.F.W. Post 1119, P.O. Box 1197, Cooleemee, NC 27014; or Cooleemee Civitan Club.

Online condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.