DR. GENE A. RIDDLE
Dr. Gene Arden Riddle, 80, son of the late William Arden and Blanche Reed Riddle, passed away Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. An avid golfer, Dr. Riddle was born in Kannapolis, N.C. and enjoyed fishing, tennis, photography and all UNC Tar Heel Sports, especially Carolina basketball. He received his Doctor of Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as his Master of Education and Advanced Superintendent Certification in Administration. He also received his B.A. in History and Education from High Point University.
Dr. Riddle served Moore County schools for more than 35 years as the assistant superintendent, associate superintendent and superintendent. He also served as a consultant for R.N. Rouse and Co. as a school facility planner.
Dr. Riddle's distinguished career includes many awards and achievements including North Carolina's "Order of the Longleaf Pine," presented to him by Gov. Jim Hunt; North Carolina Superintendent of the Year 1994 presented by the N.C. School Boards Association; Administrator of the Year 1999 presented by the N.C. Education Office Professionals Association; Administrator of the Year 1999 presented by the Region III Office Professionals; Superintendent of the Year 1999 presented by the N.C. Parent Teachers Association; Superintendent of the Year 1998 presented by the N.C. Middle School Teacher's Association; Lifetime Membership Award 1994 presented by the N.C. PTA; Superintendent of the Year 1995 presented by Sandhills Region Education Consortium; Region IV Superintendent of the Year 1994; Administrator of the Year presented by the Business & Professional Women's Association; the District Tech Prep Award; and N.C. District IV Service Award presented by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators.
He is survived by the love of his life for 58 years, Beth Riddle; his sons, Gene and his wife, Lee Ann, Dean and his wife, Courtney, and daughter Shari and her husband, Jeff, as well as his grandchildren, Alex and Arden Riddle, Peyton and Zachary Burgess.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Horne Memorial United Methodist Church in Clayton with the visitation immediately following the service. Burial will follow Wednesday at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Jackson Springs, N.C.
While flowers are accepted, memorial contributions may also be made to one of the following: Horne Memorial United Methodist Church, 121 E. 2nd St., Clayton, N.C. 27520; Page Memorial United Methodist Church, 115 W. Main St., Aberdeen, N.C. 28315; Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 705 Morganton Road, Jackson Springs, N.C. 27281. Online condolences may be made to the Riddle family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com. Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton.
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Published in Obituaries on January 30, 2017 9:58 AM