Harry Ridgway of Perry

Harry Ridgway, 91, of Perry passed away Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in the presence of family. In accordance with his wishes, no services will be held.

Gerald Harry Ridgway was born Sept. 5, 1926, in Leon, Iowa, the son of James Pearl and Lou Opal (Sears) Ridgway.

Harry served his country in the U.S. Army from Dec. 29, 1944, until his honorable discharge Feb. 5, 1946.

He spent most of his life in the Perry area and also enjoyed his years at Lake Martinez, Ariz., from the 1980s through 2000.

Harry worked as a tire builder for many years at the Firestone Plant in Des Moines before his retirement.

His favorite hobby was fishing, and he loved trips to Leech Lake in Minnesota with his grandson Brandon, who says they were the “best fishing trips ever.”

In years past, he was a devoted volunteer fireman for the Perry Fire Department and was a member of the Perry Elks Club, Moose Lodge, VFW and American Legion Post. Harry was a member of the Perry Masonic Lodge and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Club. He spent countless hours entertaining both young and old alike as a Shrine Club Clown.

Harry lived life believing you have to create your own fun because no one will create it for you. He enjoyed telling stories and jokes, finding even more pleasure when his granddaughter Devon didn’t understand the punchline.

He loved having conversations with family and friends and often recalled times spent with his nephew, Tyon Kimble.

Years ago, Harry was well known as the owner of Happy Harry’s Dairy Land.

More recently, his daughter Jolene enjoyed the many stories of Harry’s rides around town on his scooter, as told to her by Perry residents.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul, George, Sam and Bill; sister, Margery; daughter, Deanna Kay Ridgway; and son, Gerald Kent Ridgway.

Survivors include his daughter, Jolene Ridgway of Perry; four grandchildren, Brandon (Kendra) Ackerman of Woodward, Devon (Anthony) Greiter of Ames, Justin (Megan) Ridgway of Chicago and Lindsey Ridgway (George) Ruiz of Cary, Ill.; three great-grandchildren, Kaleb Ackerman, Breanna Ackerman and Hadley Kent Ruiz; daughter-in-law, Tami Wernli Ridgway (Ed) Ebel of Lake in the Hills, Ill.; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Bob and Marilyn Fronsdahl of Grimes, Danny Wells of Ankeny, Smokey and Judy Knowlton of Lake Martinez, Ariz., and Paul Sloss of Perry; and other friends he cherished over the years.

Condolences to the family may be sent to Murdock Funeral Home.