James Thomas Ridenour

On Sunday, October 13, 2024, James “Tommy” Ridenour, Sr., of Ladson, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at the age of 85. He went to meet his Lord and Savior. He was born on April 17, 1939, in Clinton, Tennessee, to Clyde and Helen Ridenour.

Tommy was raised in the mountains of Clinton, Tennessee, but left at the age of 17 to join the United States Navy. His career in the Navy took him many places, as he became a submariner. His final station was the Charleston, South Carolina Naval Base, which then became his home. After his time in the Navy, he became a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, from which he retired.

Tommy loved old cars, in which some of his children would play while he was working under the hood. He loved shooting pool, twice winning trips to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete in national championships. He was an avid NASCAR fan and loved talking about the many trips he and his brother David made to the races, parking in the center circle. He loved racing so much that he had a short career in stock car racing.

Tommy was a very generous man. He gave many friends a place to stay. He never met a stranger. He gave what he could to anyone he saw in need. He gave monthly “tithes” to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father Clyde Guess Ridenour, his mother Helen Oliver Ridenour, his sister June “Buggy” Hammonds, and his sister Janice Hatmaker. He is survived by his brother David Ridenour and Gwenn Sanford, as well as sisters Jennie Hodges and spouse Eddie, and sister Lois McMillan and husband Charlie. He is survived by his children James Thomas Ridenour, Jr., Judi Kay Ridenour Marek, Becky Barrett, Tom Ridenour, Roy Ruppert, Denise Hanna Lundblad, and Cherie Muldoon Nyhus. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and countless cousins and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024, at a time yet to be determined. It will be held at his home at 1240 Royle Rd., Ladson, South Carolina. Additional information will be posted on Afterall.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The family would like to thank Darren Floyd who spent many hours talking and praying with Tommy. The family would also like to express appreciation to Tommy’s lifelong friend Glenn Alley, as well as all the friends he made during his time with us all.