Our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather LaMar Day Ridd passed gently through the veil on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at the age of 95. He was born on August 21, 1926 in Hunter, Utah, to Heber Eugene and Etta Day Ridd. He was the third of 9 children, (7 brothers and 2 sisters). He grew up on the family farm in his beloved Hunter. There was always a sparkle in his eye when he reminisced about his life there.
He attended Cypress High School, graduating in 1944. During high school he met the love of his life, Gwen Davis! When he was 15 years old, he delivered milk to the servicemen and women stationed at Camp Kearns. After graduation, he joined the Army Air Corp and was stationed at Amarillo, Texas for 9 months, until the end of WWII.
Upon returning home to Utah, he took classes at Utah Agricultural College, worked for his father in construction, and married his sweetheart Gwen Davis on September 3, 1947 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of 5 children: 4 boys (Donald Blaine, Darwin LaMar, Kelly Day, Glade Eugene) and 1 daughter (Kathleen (Kathy)). He has 28 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Music was almost “life’s blood” to LaMar! He always had a song playing in his head and he sang songs to everyone who visited him. He loved singing in the Olympus Male Chorus and the Lakeside Chord Busters. The joy of his life was dancing the night away with Gwen during the big band era at Saltair, The Terrace Ballroom, Rainbow Rendezvous, and Stake dances. He would find any excuse he could to dance with his sweetie.
LaMar carried on the family construction tradition, first working with his father, then in partnership with his brother and best friend Dale, in Ridd Brothers Construction. He took a brief break from construction when he managed the European Health Spa in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Upon his return to Utah he formed CORI Construction, and soon thereafter formed RIDDCO, which he owned and operated until he retired. During his years in construction, he taught and worked alongside all his sons.
LaMar was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many callings throughout his life. He was a great example of faithfulness and taught his children and grandchildren to love and follow the Lord.
On February 9, 1992, his sweetheart Gwen passed away after what he called a “44-year honeymoon.” He was blessed to marry Jeane Smith, adding 4 children and eventually 13 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren to the family. 14 years later Jeane passed away, and he was blessed once more as he married Beverly Seare, adding an additional 5 children, and eventually 20 grandchildren and 65 great grandchildren to the family. It’s amazing how much love he had to share with so many.
LaMar was a man of highest integrity. Everyone he worked with professionally, in Church callings, and in every other aspect of his life had the highest respect for him. Everyone loved him and he loved everyone else.
LaMar is survived by his daughter Kathy (Don) Wittke, his son Glade (Kami) Ridd, his daughters-in-law DeAnn Ridd and Brande Ridd, his brother Merrill K. (Codele) Ridd, his sister Lavelle Moss, his sister-in-law Susan Ridd, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; Bonus family - Craig Smith, Jana (Troy) Vandenburgh, Brad (Matt) Smith, Rick (Annette) Smith, Kris Clements, Suzanne (Gregory) Seal, David (Becky) Seare, Lorie (Kevin) Jones, and Annette (Rick) Smith.
Preceded in death by his parents Heber Eugene and Etta Day Ridd, his wives Gwen, Jeane, and Beverly, his sons Blaine, Darwin, and Kelly, grandchildren, and siblings Donald, Leon, Floretta, Dale, Duane, and Gordon, and several other beloved family members.
We always will remember his amazing, sparkling blue eyes and his beautiful smile!
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah, 84092. A viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., prior to the services. To view previously held services please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/7JXSVHIr_XIUPkWU-H8ug9BnvCwq82PPb9tuT_qTy0NBUU9oynB2Bmg2QLS64dhP.Qqr2Xh3vJ8qzadfe?startTime=1638466879000
The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Harmony Hills Assisted Living Midvale and Encompass Health Hospice for their compassionate, tender, loving care for our dear father. We will always be indebted to you.
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you we love you
I am so sorry to hear about LaMar. I came to know Grandpa LaMar as one of the most loving and kind men I've ever met. From our walks outside with a piece of grass in our mouth to our conversations about school and advice about girls, he never failed to show the love he had for me. Even as time went on and it became difficult for him to remember some things, I knew that love he had for me wasn't gone. Grandpa LaMar truly is one of the best people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I simply can't wait to see him again one day in heaven.
With a Love striving to match the Love he showed,
Elder Matthew Seal