John Rolfe Eldridge

John Rolfe Eldridge was born Oct. 10, 1926, in Memphis, Tenn., and died Nov. 25, 2014. He was the son of Rolfe and Ruth Conner Eldridge. After graduating from Laura Conner High School in 1944, John attended Virginia Military Institute for two years. Upon returning from military service, John graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1948 where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the honorary business fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma. He later served as co-chairman of the Committee of One Hundred which raised funds for the restoration of Old Main. In 1948, he married Bette Phillips and they had four children. John Rolfe succeeded his father as owner of Eldridge Supply Company, the family business. In 2000, John Rolfe married Kitty Taggart. John was a member of the Augusta First United Methodist Church, served on the Augusta School Board and as Chairman of the Board of The Bank of Augusta. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 166. John was predeceased by his parents; and his first wife, Bette. He is survived by his wife, Kitty; his sons, John R. Eldridge III of Fayetteville, Charles P. Eldridge and wife Anne of Augusta, William C. Eldridge of Fayetteville; and his daughter, Mary Laura Eldridge and husband Mitchell Hamilton of Searcy. John is also survived by his grandchildren, Elizabeth McNair and husband Hight of Fayetteville, J.R. Eldridge and wife Audrey of Arkadelphia, Mark Eldridge and wife Anne of Searcy, Chris Eldridge and wife Whitnee of Augusta, Conner Eldridge and wife Mary Elizabeth of Fayetteville, Cathy Curley and husband Mike of Greenwich, Conn., and Preston Eldridge and wife Lauren of Little Rock; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Kitty's children, Karen Chandler, Krista Taggart, and Alan Taggart; and her three grandchildren. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 at 610 N. Fourth St, Augusta. Funeral Service is 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at The First United Methodist Church, Augusta, Ark., with burial at Augusta Memorial Park under the direction of Thompson Wilson Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 452, Augusta, Ark. 72006. www.thompsonwilsonfh.com.