Aulston “Bruce” Defore Ridley, aged 74, a longtime Altus resident, formerly of Westfield, New Jersey, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2022, in Altus, Oklahoma.
Aulston was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 15, 1947, to his mother Maude Beatrice Ridley. Aulston was raised in both Virginia and Westfield, New Jersey. In Westfield, he attended and graduated high school. Aulston then enlisted in the Air Force in 1965 to serve his country. After this, he earned some college credits while serving. He attended: the Community College of the Air Force, Alpena Community College in Alpena, Michigan, the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, Anchorage Community College in Anchorage, Alaska, and the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Aulston completed his basic military training at the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Then in 1988, completed the Academic Instructor course and Social Action Advanced Course also at the Lackland Air Force Base. In July of 1998, Aulston graduated with a Degree of Associate in Arts at Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, Oklahoma.
While serving in the Air Force, Master Sergeant Aulston D. Ridley was deployed abroad in South Korea from 1968 to 1971. He was assigned to the Osan Air Force Base, Pyeongtaek City in Gyeonggi Do. He then went on to the United Kingdom for three years starting in October 1983 and ending in October of 1986 at RAF Fairford. Master Sergeant Ridley was awarded many medals for exemplary work during his time in the Air Force. During Aulston's long career he was awarded one of 12 Outstanding Airmen and in 1989 he was awarded Outstanding MAC Base Social Action at the Altus Air Force Base. Master Sergeant Aulston D. Ridley served faithfully and honorably for twenty- five years before retiring.
On July 28, 2016, Aulston married Mary Ann D. Mordeno in Bacoor City, Cavite, Philippines and another marriage on August 30, 2016 in Altus, Oklahoma. They settled and enjoyed their many adventures through the years as husband and wife. Aulston worked as an Administrative Staff at the Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group for 26 years. Aulston was also a very religious man, serving in the church for many years. He was the former pastor at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Memphis, Texas, also a Former Pastor at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Altus, Oklahoma, and Former Assistant Pastor at Inspirational Gospel Fellowship Church in Fairford, UK. Then he was an active member of the Contemporary Church at the Altus Air Force Base. Aulston was a member of the Great Plains Community. In his free time, Aulston enjoyed reading the Bible and other religious works, as well as being a poetry compositionist himself. He was a big sports fan, mostly enjoying watching OU football and OKC Thunder basketball. One could find Aulston watching preaching programs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, his favorite preachers being Joel Osteen, Charles Stanley, Joseph Prince, Creflo Dollar, and Joyce Meyers. When not watching one of these preachers, he watched the news or food cooking channels.
Auston was preceded in death by his mother, Maude Beatrice Ridley, his children: son Ronnie Ridley and daughter Vivian Ridley, as well as his beloved aunt Della Bishop and cousin Ernestine Ridley.
Aulston is survived by his wife Mary Ann M. Ridley, his children: son Donnie Ridley, daughters Ashlee Ann Ridley, Carle Ridley, Margaret Ridley, and stepdaughter Jamie Anna Marie Mordeno, as well as his closest cousins Major Ridley and Lloyd Ridley, as he loved being their family, as well as numerous other family members and friends.
The Ridley family will receive friends from 5:00 p.,m. -7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 11, 2022, at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2022, at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home Chapel, Altus, Oklahoma.
Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 12, 2022, at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.
We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Aulstone at www.lowell-tims.com
The Ridley family would like to invite all that cannot attend to watch the service live on www.lowell-tims.com
Services will be under the direction of Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To send flowers in memory of Aulston Defore Ridley, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
11
Sep
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
12
Sep
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
