Eddie Aldridge, 77, a longtime resident of the Rockport community, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, March 31, 2012.
He was born on August 23, 1934 in Avery County, North Carolina, the son of Thomas Edgar & Naomi (Wiseman) Aldridge. His parents passed away when he was a young boy so he stayed with family until joining the U.S. Navy in 1951.
After his discharge in 1953 he returned briefly to North Carolina before moving to Rockport, Washington.
On January 4, 1954 he was united in marriage to Carolyn Johnson (a longtime friend from North Carolina), in Rockport and for 45 years they made their home and raised their family in Rockport until her death in 1999.
Eddie worked as a log truck driver for many years, driving truck for several logging companies in the Skagit Valley. He later began working for Dewey Hyatt and One Way Construction, working for 20 years as an excavator operator until 2004; he then worked for Wilder Construction until his retirement in 2008. Eddie was a member of the Operating Engineers Union, Local 302.
After Carolyn’s death, Eddie met Mildred Reece, who had become his weekend companion for 12 the past years, and together they enjoyed going to the casinos and on week-end road trips. Eddie also enjoyed fishing, he was a huge NASCAR fan but mostly he enjoyed the get together’s at his home with all his family.
Eddie is survived by his children and their spouses, Bucom & Janet Aldridge of Rockport, Debbie & Randy Martin of Marblemount, Brian & Darlene Aldridge of Sedro-Woolley, Jackie & Pam Aldridge of Birdsview, Joey & Cindy Aldridge of Newhalem and Dana Aldridge of Rockport. His longtime companion, Mildred Reece of Darrington; 3 sisters-in-law, Evie Johnson (Marv), Violet Johnson and Phyllis Reynolds (Dan). 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews & cousins. Besides his wife Carolyn, he was also preceded in death by his parents, Thomas & Naomi Aldridge; his mother & father-in-law, Jack & Bernice Johnson; 2 grandsons, Chad Aldridge and Jeremiah Johnson and 2 brothers-in-law, Sonny Johnson and Pudge Johnson.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank Eddie’s Guardian Angel, his granddaughter, Sue Ann.
Funeral Services for Eddie will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Lemley Chapel. Interment will follow at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete. A potluck fellowship will follow graveside services at the Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport. Visitation is available Tuesday thru Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to noon.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to the family. Eddie was a bright light. He was a loving and kind man. Kindest regards, Angela (Karen Dellinger’s daughter)
Very few people you meet in life just grab you,and you never forget them.Eddie was that kind of person,when he seen you it was like you made his day!His boys picked up on that trait,they are like their Dad.So carry on boys,Dad would be proud.We will never forget you Ed,you left a legacy of family.Diane welcomed Eddie to her beautiful place.
I remember back in the early 70s watching Bucom race that red 57 chev on the Rockport-Cascade road around Illabot Cr. this was an every weekend thing just about for several years in the summertime,what fun it was alot of locals,Eddie was there,i never really met him though,but it was fun to watch him with Buc and that Chevy,not sure if Jackie was there,maybe,Brian too,those 2 always wanted me to bring up my 64 GTO and race him,never did,I’d still see Eddie at the local car shows,sorry for his passing,rest in peace
A great neighbor for over 50 years , we will all miss his big smile .Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family
Our thoughts and prayer are with the family and his many friends. He will be missed. The BEST operator my husband knows. He was always smiling, told great jokes. It was a shock . I will miss the glint in his eyes when he smiled. Smooth Sailings Eddie , you will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear of Eddie’s passing. I worked with him at One Way Construction and I always looked forward to Friday afternoons when Eddie would come in to pick up his check and he would always stay and chat with me. I know he will be missed by all that knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
We will certainly miss him. We are so sorry for your loss. He was such a good man, we always enjoyed our time with him and with your family at Christmas. We loved his smile and laughter! He was always so glad to see everyone and we could tell from the twinkle in his eyes, he wanted to make everyone happy. Our love and prayers are with you and may the wonderful memories he made with each of you be a great comfort in the days ahead.
I am sorry for your loss. Keeping your whole family in my thoughts and prayers.
My deep condolences to the Aldridge family. May the days ahead bring you joy in the remembrance of Eddie and his kindness & love for you.
to the aldridge family our thought are with you we will miss that smile and his good nature we will miss that rip joihn shelley
To that great Aldridge family who has my deepest sympathy for the loss of their Dad/Grampa.You all must be proud to of called him yours! I know he was proud to have you in his life. I had know Eddie since his feet hit the good o’ ground of Rockport many many years ago and when he married my dear friend Carolyn that made him my dear friend also. We have many memories of those times in Rockport and from those days past. There is one thing that cannot be taken from us are those memories…He may be gone from this world but he will stay in the hearts of many of us who loved him. Please know that those memories may help you survive the loss of Eddie and as it goes” memories are to be held and shared” (that is from me).
I am so sorry to hear about Eddie. All of us love him so much and looked so forward to his visits. When he called two weeks ago and said he wanted to come back East this summer,we started making plans for a family reunion.Didn’t know at that time what wonderful reunion was in the making. My Dad “Bill” always said Eddie was more of a brother to him than a first cousin,they were raised together like brothers,and Dad did love him dearly. They are together now along with Carolyn and his parents and all the rest of the family that Eddie loved so much. Mildred made such a wonderful difference in Eddie’s life and I am thankful we got to know and love her as well. Jackie,I pray for you and all the family. I know things will be so hard, and word can’t take away the pain. Please remember your family back here love’s all of you and always have a place to come home to in North Carolina.Call when you can. Love to you all Marsha, Allen, and Donny
To the Aldrige family,
Your father was a great part of our lives, Eddie brought great joy to our mother Mildreds life over the pass 13 or 14 years Mildred loved him so they would say they loved each other (booco’s) everytight over the phone. Eddie and Mildred enjoyed having both families together at Christmas what great times we had. He may be gone, but he is not far. Eddie will alway be with us in our hearts.
He will be greatly missed,
The Mildred Reece Family
I’ll always remember Eddie;s laughter, not only did everyone else enjoy it, so did Eddie, that’s why it was such a wonderful sound and you never forgot it. He had a smile for everyone and was one of the sweetest men I ever met. My love/prayers go out to all of the family and loved ones. He will be missed. Just think of the laughter of Eddie, Sonny and Pudge together again, I love those guys so much.
To The Whole Aldridge Family.
So sorry for your loss.. He will be missed by many of friends and family. I will always remember the campouts and fun we all had as kids… most of all I will remember how Deb saved the parents car from hitting the tree when we were camping. It meant a lot to our family that Eddie took time to come visit with Mom when she was in the hospital.. He was always a friend to all us kids and we will think of him often.. hearts and prayers to get your through the hard times.
dear family, how very sad we were to hear of eddies passing. what a great man and friend. he will be very missed by every one who ever knew his smile,laugh, and joy of life. we have you in our thoughts and prayers and know someday we will see him again in a better place where the sun always shines and only happiness abounds.much love to all of you. love annie and jim.