Ridinger, John Vane (Jack)

John Vane (Jack) Ridinger, 58, of Blacksburg, died Thursday, July 20, 2006, at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

He was born in Roanoke, Va. on October 7, 1947. He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon R. Ridinger. Jack was a retired Captain of the Virginia Tech Police Department, with 26 years service from 1980-2006. He served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS John F. Kennedy as an Aviation Boatswains Mate.

Jack was a member of New Mt. Zion Lutheran Church and a Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He was an avid sports fan, especially of Virginia Tech women’s softball. Jack also enjoyed being a carpenter and a builder. He graduated from Blacksburg High School in 1966 and was proud to be a Blacksburg Indian basketball player.

He is survived by his wife, Judy L. Ridinger, of Blacksburg; mother and stepfather, Margaret R. and W. Bane Atkinson, Sr., of Blacksburg; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Jim Skipper, of Mount Airy, Md.; son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Angela Ridinger, of Bluffton, S.C.; stepson and daughter-in-law, Scot and Carolyn Thomas, of Blacksburg; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy R. and Joe Bean, of Wytheville, Lucy R. and Jerry King, of Hillsville; two stepbrothers, Bane Atkinson, Jr., of Roanoke, John Atkinson, of Manassas; mother and father-in-law, Ira and Louise Long, of Prices Fork; brother-in-law, Ronald Long, of Prices Fork; seven grandchildren, Aaron Stanton, Tori Pendleton, Andrew Thomas, Liza Thomas, Austin Skipper, Evan Ridinger, Collin Skipper, and a granddaughter, Ava Ridinger, who is due on October 7; two nieces, Maggie Bean and Mandy Bean; and two nephews, Jon King and Chris King.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, July 24, 2006 at 3 p.m. in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Hinlicky and the Rev. Reggie Tuck officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:45 p.m., Sunday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Mount Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund, c/o Donna Miller, 5201 Long Shop Road, Blacksburg.