Buel Edwin “Ed” Ridge, 82, of Chattanooga, died on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, at his home after a brief battle with cancer.
Ed was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served with the 578th Squadron during World War II. He flew combat missions over Europe as an aerial gunner on B-24 bombers. In January 1946, he and his crew lost an engine and were forced down in Metz, France. He was also a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Ed joined Provident Life & Accident Insurance Co. in 1949 and became an assistant vice president in 1967. He was promoted to vice president and head of the Franchise Department in 1970. In 1972, he became a corporate vice president until his retirement in 1990. During his 41-year career at Provident, he earned the Charter Life Underwriter designation. He was also a longtime member of Chattanooga Golf & Country Club.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Ridge; son, Gary Ridge; son and daughter-in-law, David and Beverly Ridge; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Cindy Ridge; daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Mark Dohmeier; grandchildren, Rebecca Blackburn, Nashville, Ben Ridge, Salt Lake City, Ut., Michael Ridge, Nicholas Ridge, Michelle McGhee, all of Chattanooga, Jacob and Matthew Dohmeier, Ooltewah; and great-grandchildren, Noah, Joshua and Chloe McGhee, of Chattanooga.
A private funeral service will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com.
The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road.