Spc. Jeffrey Scott Ridinger

Oct. 19, 1989- Dec. 13, 2012

Jeffrey Scott Ridinger passed away on Dec. 13, 2012 while stationed at Fort Hood Army base in Killeen, Texas at the age of 23. He was born on Oct. 19, 1989 in Corvallis to Scott and Carolyn Ridinger. Jeffrey spent his first years of life in North Albany and then moved in 1995 to Tualatin with his family. He graduated from Tualatin High School in 2008.

In 2009, Jeffrey decided to enlist in the Army and left for Boot Camp at Fort Benning in Georgia in Jan. 2010. After graduating from Basic and Airborne Training, Jeffrey was transferred to Fort Bragg in North Carolina to begin the Special Operations Preparation Course. It was during this time that he was recruited to become an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Specialist and would complete his schooling and training at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Jeffrey was finally assigned to his EOD unit and stationed at Ft. Hood in Texas in 2011.

Jeffrey was a dearly loved son, brother, and friend with a kind heart and fierce loyalty. He enjoyed snowboarding, being with animals, learning to play the guitar, talking on the phone with his mother, and playing games online as a way to stay in touch with close friends all over the world. He was deeply proud of his job and service with the Armed Forces.

Jeffrey is predeceased by his maternal grandparents Lesley and Virginia Serrao, his paternal grandfather Bruce Ridinger, and his uncles Michael Serrao and Doug Ridinger. He is survived by his parents Scott and Carolyn, his sister Paige and her fiancé Merlin Showalter, his paternal grandparents Jack and Sharon Lewis, and many loved uncles, aunts, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W Powell Blvd. in Gresham on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. This will be followed by a Committal Service with full military honors at Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or the ASPCA, http://www.aspca.org/donate/.