A Memorial Service for Tom Ridenour will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Mark Crist officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Thomas Charles “Tom” Ridenour, 71 years of age, of rural Holdrege, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on Monday, November 22, 2021. He was born on February 28, 1950, in Holdrege, the fourth of six children, born to Charles D. and Thelma Marie (Bryan) Ridenour. Tom received his primary education from Loomis Public Schools and graduated from Loomis High School with the class of 1969. Tom was active with basketball, football, track, and baseball, during his high school years. For many years, Tom held the title of #1 rebounder in the state of Nebraska. He pursued higher education from North Platte Community College and later attended Peru State College and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
Following his education, Tom began teaching Social Studies, History, and Government. He began his teaching career at Humboldt, Nebraska; then Harvard, Nebraska; followed by Holdrege; and then was the principal at Funk, Nebraska. Tom taught at Brush, Colorado, for a few years and then moved back to Holdrege, and farmed with his father for a few years and began coaching. He taught and coached at Elwood, Nebraska; Loomis, Nebraska; Cozad, Nebraska; and Lexington, Nebraska.
Tom was a life-long coach. Tom’s passion was coaching and teaching children. He taught basketball fundamentals and was known to give incentives to his mentees, as he drove around the neighborhood, checking in to see if they were using correct form.
Tom loved his family, especially his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; often spoiling them with basketballs, texts, phone calls, and postcards.
Tom was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege and was nominated and inducted into the Phelps County Sports Hall of Fame.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; one nephew, Wesley Allen Nelson; his grandparents; and his aunts and uncles.
Tom leaves to mourn his passing; his siblings: Bob Ridenour (Becky) of Kearney, Nebraska; Ross Ridenour (Linda) of Brady, Nebraska; Connie Nelson (Wesley); and Rod Ridenour (Pat) all of Holdrege; and Lori Carfield (Kevin) of McCook, Nebraska; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; aunts; and extended family.
There will be no visitation, viewing, or memorial book signing. The family has honored his wish for cremation.
Memorials are suggested to the family to designate multiple scholarships locally.
Expressions of kindness and caring can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.