Richard "Rick" Ridings

Richard L. Ridings, 50, of Kingsport, died Sunday afternoon, January 29, 2017 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after a brief illness. Born in Maryville, TN, he had resided in Kingsport, since 1980. Rick was a 1984 graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School where he played football. He graduated from ETSU in 1988 with a Bachelors in Business. Rick was employed with Jefferson Sales in Kingsport as a salesman. He was an active member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church and a Boy Scout leader in Troop 51. Rick was always active in his children's activities. He coached many different sports, he even danced with his daughter. He was a loving husband, father and son.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ben and Belle Patty; and paternal grandfather, Charles Ridings.

Rick is survived by his wife, Leslie Tentler Ridings of the home; daughter, Sydney Grace Ridings of the home; son, Richard Cole Ridings of the home; mother and stepfather, Janice and Steve Bethel of Maryville, TN; father and stepmother, Richard and Sharon Ridings of Austin, TX; 2 half-sisters, Shelley Singer of Dallas, TX and Tracy Ridings of Austin, TX; half-brother, Steven Ridings of Austin, TX; paternal grandmother, Geneva Ridings of South Carolina; niece, Callahan Tentler; nephew, Cooper Tentler; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Leslie Tentler; 2 brothers-in-law, Bob Tentler and wife, Leslie, and Ralph Tentler and wife, Sara; and many cousins and friends.

A funeral service celebrating Rick's life will be held on Thursday at 5:00 pm at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Green and Rev. Jay Mills officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to an education fund for the Ridings children at any branch of Bank of Tennessee or mailed to the attention of Jenny Dugger at Bank of Tennessee, or to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, c/o Children's Ministry, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.