Ben Richard Ridenour

Ben Richard Ridenour, 85, of Jonesboro, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Born on October 12, 1940, in Clinton, Tennessee, to the late Newman and Hazel Ridenour, he lived a life marked by quiet strength, curiosity, and deep faith.

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy for four years as a radio operator, an experience he treasured. During his service he traveled extensively and held a special fondness for Japan. In later years, Ben’s inquisitive spirit found expression in his love of history, particularly stories about trains, as well as his lifelong enjoyment of shortwave radio and staying informed about current events and politics.

Known affectionately as “Pap Ben” to his grandchildren, he found simple pleasures in summer afternoons spent skimming leaves from the pool, watching documentaries or British television series, and savoring a glass of sweet tea with a can of Pringles nearby. Above all, he was a man of steadfast loyalty to family and friends, showing up for those he loved in quiet, dependable ways. His faith was the center of his life; he read his Bible faithfully and never missed an opportunity to speak of Jesus. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church on Mt. Carmel Road in Jonesboro.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Betty Gross, one brother, Glen Ridenour, and one grandson, Jake Griffith. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Jo Ridenour; three daughters, Tippy Boling (Scott) of Jonesboro, Lisa Blaxton of Germantown, Tennessee, and Sherri Griffith (Barry) of Memphis, Tennessee; one son, Matt Blaxton of Altheimer, Arkansas; two brothers, Minnis Ridenour (Louise) of Blacksburg, Virginia, and Kenneth Ridenour (Janice) of Kentucky; and two sisters, Ruth Flores of Dallas, Georgia, and Mary Thelma Anderson of Maryville, Tennessee. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, a lifetime of friends, and several nieces and nephews.