Obituaries

Walter Garrett Riddick III

Photo of Walter Garrett Riddick III
WALTER GARRETT RIDDICK III, age 62, died April 11, 2019, in his home surrounded by family. He was born in Little Rock May 10, 1956, the son of Marguerite Rice and Walter Garrett Riddick Jr. He was the grandson of Hebe Frye and Walter G. Riddick, Sr., Judge of the US 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and great-grandson of James Edward Riddick, Associate Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. Walt graduated from Hall Senior High School, University of Arkansas, and University of Arkansas School of Law in 1981. While in private law practice, he was the founding President of the Hillcrest Residents Association, was a commissioner on the Little Rock Planning Commission, serving as chairman in 1989, and worked for the Pulaski County Prosecutors office. After his father retired from the US Attorney's office, the two formed Riddick & Riddick, attorneys at law. After completing active duty, Walt worked with Jeff Graham as a family attorney, facilitating adoptions. Walt was a member of the 431st Civil Affairs Unit of the US Army and served in South America, active duty in the Gulf War and Desert Storm, active duty in Bosnia, and continued to be active in the Army Reserve until his retirement in 2011 as a Sergeant First Class. The last few years, his main contact has been his social media friends - he loved his active discussions with assenters and dissenters of political, religious, and literary minded friends far and wide. Walt had a wicked sense of humor and was a well-informed worthy adversary in debate on all topics. Walt was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Jessica Wells Riddick, and their children, Jessica Elizabeth Wells Riddick, Walter Garrett Riddick IV (Kaylea), and Donovan Eugene Wells Riddick, and the light of his life, granddaughter Victoria Emma Wells Riddick. He is also survived by his bonus family - stepmother Joanne Hamilton Riddick, and siblings John Haley (Danette), Susan Haley Betts (Mark) and David Haley (Lori), as well as 8 nieces and nephews. Walt leaves behind his very special Wells, Riddick, Bair, and Rice cousins, and extended family. Thank you to all his friends that visited through his illness and kept in touch – you hold a special place in our hearts. Special thanks to Hospice home health palliative care team. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project (P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kan., 66675) or Wildwood Park for the Arts (20919 Denny Rd, Little Rock, Ark. 72223). A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church (600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72227) on Friday, April 26, 2019, at 3 p.m. Pastor Stephen Hancock will officiate. A private burial of ashes will take place at Mount Holly Cemetery. Service arrangements are entrusted to Ruebel Funeral Home, please sign the online condolence book at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Published April 25, 2019

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