Obituary of Lee Riddiough

Lee Nathan Riddiough, age 77, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2009 at Wesley Rehabilitation Hospital in Wichita, Kansas following a fall and stroke. Lee was born February 9, 1932 in rural Wichita County, Kansas, the son of Ralph George & Elizabeth Luvina (Lizzie) Kiefer Riddiough. Lee attended Leoti grade school, Carwood grade school, and Wichita County High School. In 1951 he joined the United States Navy and spent four years aboard the James E. Keyes, DD787, during the Korean conflict. He retired after thirty-three years of government service with the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Army Corps of Engineers as an Engineering Representative, serving in the western United States and Saudi Arabia. He returned to Leoti in 1990. Lee's passion was horses. He began riding at his grandparents homestead in the Carwood community. When his daughters asked for a horse, he quickly said yes as it was his excuse to once again have horses. For over forty years he raised, broke, trained and showed Appaloosa horses. He was a member and served as president of several horse clubs including the National Appaloosa Horse Club. One of his mares was a National Champion and he and "Doc" qualified for the World Show in reining. His daughters and grandchildren enjoyed riding in parades and showing their horses with their father and grandfather. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Lee was also a member of Parks Presbyterian Church, a life member of the V.F.W., the Wichita County Historical Society as well as the Leoti Rough Riders. On June 23, 1956, Lee married LoRetta Amerman at Raton, New Mexico. She survives. Lee's other surviving family members include Two daughters and their husbands- LaDonna & Stephen Burrows- Cooperstown, New York LeaRetta & Chip Gilbert- Southlake, Texas Three grandchildren Mike Burrows- Tampa, Florida Keith Burrows- Mineral Point, Wisconsin Lauren Gilbert- Southlake, Texas Three brothers- Ralph Riddiough, Jr.- Nixa, Missouri Milton Riddiough- Scott City, Kansas Bob Riddiough- Americus, Georgia Three sisters- Vera Ford- Leoti, Kansas Margie Peine- Nixa, Missouri Bonnie Weaver- Tucumcari, New Mexico Lee was preceded in death by his parents, two infant children, Linda Kay and Lea Michelle Riddiough and Two brothers, William and Joseph Riddiough. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 4, 2009 at Parks Presbyterian Church in rural northwestern Wichita County (Nine miles North, Five miles west of Leoti, Kansas) with the Reverend Paul McNall officiating. Burial will be in Carwood Cemetery with the United States Navy Funeral Detail from Wichita, Kansas performing full military honors. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas. Memorials may be given to Parks Presbyterian Church, the Leoti E.M.T.'s or the Wichita County Historical Society in care of the funeral home.