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Note: Raymond P. Ridgell , U. S. Navy, 1944-1945, World War II Life of letters has kept man busy for years 03/30/99 By Bob St. John / The Dallas Morning News The search for prolific letter writer Raymond Ridgell led to a trailer court, where he lives with four cats, just off I-30 in Royse City. Though many of us know him for his letters to the media, I discovered he is also, among other things, a linguist, author, teacher, moralist and fitness advocate. Mr. Ridgell met me at the door in workout togs and an old pith helmet. He had just finished his exercise routine and later would deliver noon meals from the Royse City Senior Citizens Center to shut-ins. He apologized for his home's being in a mess, explaining: "I seem to stay so busy all the time writing letters, exercising and things that I let the house go. My cats don't seem to mind." Mr. Ridgell, 74, once a serious weight lifter, still has a burly build and is proud that he remains in pretty good shape. He has given up free weights and weight machines and now uses something called a Body Blade for toning. He also rides a bicycle six miles six days a week regardless of the weather. He said he had ridden when it was so cold the bike's control cables were frozen. Nothing deters him, he said, then added: "I've never had a medical prescription, nor used any medication and am not acquainted with any doctor. I did see a doctor in 1940 to get a cyst removed, but that was it. I taught school for 45 years and never missed a day. Oh, that sounds like I'm bragging. At my age, I suppose you're allowed to do that." Public opinions Mr. Ridgell continually sends letters to media in the area, expressing opinions, making comments and even offering clever reflections. He estimates that over the years he has had hundreds of letters published in various newspapers and magazines. His scrapbooks are full of them. Once he wrote about the inaccuracy of signs. He'd gone into an ice cream store in Dallas and seen a sign that read, "Employees only behind the counter." When an employee came into the area where he was sitting, he pointed out that the man was allowed only behind the counter. "Accuracy runs in our family," he once wrote. "When my granddaughter was 3, we were down in the Bay Area and a sign said, 'Draw Bridge.' She got out her ever-present sketch pad and pencil and began sketching the bridge. I don't know what she does when she sees signs in school halls saying 'Wet Floor.' " He also has been known to write to celebrities and politicians. Sometimes they answer. He has a letter signed "Ronald Reagan," thanking him for inquiring about the former president's health. He also has letters from Tom Landry, Doris Day and Robert Goulet. Noteworthy life Mr. Ridgell was raised in the South Texas town of San Benito and was part of a quartet that once sang for the Mexican ambassador. He writes to members of the quartet still living there and looks forward to their next reunion, in 2006. He was in a choir and studied music at what was then North Texas State Teachers College and got a degree in English and Spanish, which he taught in a number of schools. He even taught Spanish on an Indian reservation in South Dakota. "When I saw Dances With Wolves, I understood what the Indians were saying," he said. Then he spoke to me in what he said was Lakota. He has written two books, Twelve Daughters of Zion and Christ in You. The former takes the stand that Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, was not associated with the doctrine of polygamy. The latter offers spiritual lessons. Although Mr. Ridgell says he has a doctorate in divinity, he no longer goes to church, preferring to worship by himself. "Spirituality is the most important thing in my life," he says. He has a grown daughter and son and is divorced. But he said he and his wife are still friends. In fact, he'd just written her a letter.
Obit Raymond P. Ridgell died August 22, in the year of our Lord, 2002, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Raymond Penn Ridgell was son of Raymond Clarence and Lessie Logenia Garraway Ridgell. Born in Houston, Texas January 19, 1926, Raymond Ridgell spent his retirement years delivering food to the elderly in Royse City, Texas, for the Royse City Senior Citizens Center. Raymond was a veteran of World War II, U.S. Navy. Raymond Ridgell PHD was raised in the South Texas town of San Benito and once was part of a quartet that sang for the Mexican ambassador. He was in a choir and studied music at what was then North Texas State Teachers College and got a degree in English and Spanish, which he taught in a number of schools including Midland Lee High School, in the 1960's and 1970's. Raymond Ridgell once taught school in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, where he was so admired by the Native-American population of Oglala Lakotas, he was named "Wanbli Wakita" or "Looking Eagle". Raymond Ridgell wrote two books, Twelve Daughters of Zion and Christ in You. Raymond said "Spirituality is the most important thing in my life." Raymond leaves behind a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Shelly Ridgell of Midland, Texas, a daughter Charlene Middleton Ridgell, a sister Muriel Lange of Bastrop, Texas, first cousin Stella Rhoades of Emory, Texas, five grandchildren, nephews, neices, and three cats. A memorial for Raymond P. Ridgell will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2002, 10:00 A.M. at the Royse City Senior Citizen Center, 704 Plum St., Royse City, Texas.
The Brownsville Herald, March 20, 1942, pg.2
Easter Trip To Monterrey Slated By San Benitans
SAN BENITO---- The annual Easter vacation trip to Monterrey planned by local High School Spanish students will be observed this year as usual, with a group of approximately twenty-five students and adults making the journey. Miss Floy Roots, head of the Spanish department, is in charge of the group, which will leave by special bus from Reynosa Friday morning, returning Monday. Mrs. H. W. Schneider, Mrs. G. Elizondo, and Miss Roots will accompany the party which includes Jeanette Smith, Josephine Elizondo, Minta and Olive Helen Polley, Billy Carmichael, Helen Talbot, Docia Clark, RAYMOND RIDGELL, Edna Clark, Mary Lou Sweeney, Eldon Long, Louise Woolam, Helen Gilbert, Richard Schneider, Anne Deaton, Katheryn Thompson,and Gene Schneider.
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