Stephen Paul Ridgill

Stephen Paul Ridgill (“Pa”, “Big Steve”, “anything but late for dinner”), devoted husband, legendary dad, doting grandfather, and friend to everyone, passed away on Sunday, October 19th at the age of 72, surrounded by the family he loved fiercely and unconditionally.

Steve spent the last three and a half years bravely battling aggressive stage 4 cancer. He amazed doctors, bewildered nurses, and may or may not hold the record for most margarita requests ever made from a hospital bed.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Steve developed a strong work ethic and sense of adventure making mischief on the family farm. At age 7, the Ridgill family relocated to Northern Virginia, where Steve later graduated from Herndon High School and along the way discovered several of his lifelong passions: woodworking, mechanics, aviation — and an equally mischievous brunette named Sharon, who would eventually become the love of his life and wife for 50 plus years.

He attended Virginia Tech, paying his own way to a mechanical engineering degree, all while nurturing his relationship with Sharon and collecting many lifelong friends. After college, he and Sharon married and settled in West Virginia where they did hard time for 8 years, raising two small children and dealing with WV neighbors while Steve served as a maintenance foreman for Bethlehem Steel before escaping to greener pastures in North Carolina.

In North Carolina, his ingenuity and creativity were initially put to work creating custom glass imaging and etchings with a novel sandblasting machine. After which he spent 28 years with Dart Container, overseeing the construction of the company’s first NC plant and eventually retiring as it’s long-time Plant Manager. He led with the same values that defined him everywhere else: humility, integrity, humor, and practicality.

He wasn’t content just building factories. He also built airplanes (the model variety), homes (with Habitat for Humanity), and a family that loved every minute with him. He fulfilled a dream of becoming a pilot and loved taking up friends and family to “bore some holes in the sky”. He was an active member of the Civil Air Patrol, served on the board of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation (attempting the impossible), was a member of the Rotary Club and a beloved fixture in the Zooland Civitan Club.

His personal accomplishments were dwarfed, however, when compared to his role as husband, dad, and "Pa." His family was truly his passion. Whether it was a game of backyard football or frisbee, a school project that turned into an engineering feat, or another long day spent in "Pa’s Garage”, Steve was always there — sleeves rolled up, tool in hand, trying tirelessly to impart valuable knowledge to his offspring.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, selflessness, hard work, and well-organized power tools. His handshake could bend steel, his hugs could fix bad days, and his stories will be retold (and likely embellished) for generations.

Steve Ridgill was one of the good ones — the best one for his family, who are grateful for the endless memories, lessons, witticisms and love he gave so freely. His boisterous laugh is burned into their memories, and they are fortunate to have copious amounts of his artisan woodworking projects, from toys to furniture, which will be treasured forever. Somewhere he’s working on a project, tools in hand, telling someone to “hold what you’ve got”.

Preceding Steve in death are his parents, James Lee Ridgill Jr. and Janie Elam Ridgill. He is survived by his wife Sharon Bain Ridgill of Kernersville, his daughter Nicole Ridgill Alford (Jason), his son Stephen Paul Ridgill II (Kada), grandchildren Max Mason, Aiden Alford and Maya Ridgill. He is also survived by brothers James (Jimmy) Ridgill and Jerrold (Jerry) Ridgill (Toula), niece Christina Ridgill and nephew Alexander Ridgill, cousin Ed May, and many extended family including sisters and brothers-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews, countless friends, and the many lives he touched with his generosity, humor, and unshakable kindness.

A Celebration of Steve’s Life will be held on Saturday, November 1st at 3:00 pm at Ridge Funeral Home in Asheboro.  Wear bright colors!

In lieu of flowers, Steve’s wishes are for donations to be made to the Habitat for Humanity of Randolph County, 3060 US Hwy 220 Business South, Asheboro, NC 27205-73312 or www.habitatrc.org/donate. Per Steve, “specifically the Randolph County chapter, NOT the national organization.”