Hal was born on April 2, 1918 in Thurmont, Maryland and grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland. He served in the United States Army/Army Air Force during WWII as a First Lieutenant. In 1952 Hal and his family moved from Maryland to Orlando, College Park, Florida where he was a member of the College Park Methodist Church and became branch manager of the College Park Post Office. He later retired on June 5, 1979.
Hal was an avid sports person and had coached a little league baseball team from Hagerstown, Md. which reached the world series in 1950. At age 90, he was an honoree at the 2008 Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pa. where he threw the opening pitch and was awarded the game ball.
Hal loved to play golf and dance. He won many golf tournaments over the years and at age 89 won a seniors tournament played at The Villages, Florida. If he wasn't out on the golf course you would find him at the Moose Lodge every Saturday night kicking his heels up and dancing the night away.
Hal was a great family man and had made many friends over his lifetime. He was often referred to as “a good ole southern gentleman”. Even in his later years, he was always the perfect gentleman still opening doors for the ladies.
He is survived by his sons, Hal Jr. and wife Collette of Sanford, Fl, Dennis of Redington Shores, Fl, Randy and wife Patty of Redington Shores, Fl, and daughter, Debby Demetree and husband David of Longwood, his brother, Harry Ridenour and his sister, Carolyn Hill both of Hagerstown, Md.. He is predeceased by his youngest son, David. Hal has 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Fairview Banquet Room at Dubsdread Golf Club in College Park for family and close friends on March 1, 2014 at 3:00pm.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18