James Ridgway Obituary

   James Alan Ridgway of Gaithersburg, MD and Edisto Beach, SC died on February 5, 2026. He was born on June 4, 1949, to Alan and Ann Ridgway of Bethesda, MD. He graduated from Good Counsel High School, and earned an accountancy degree from Benjamin Franklin University. Jim worked in hospitality, sporting goods and construction supply businesses, and enjoyed serving as the business manager of a daycare in Washington, DC for the last 12 years of his career. Jim was an active member of his various church communities, beginning as an altar boy at St. Jane Frances deChantal. He also served at St. Raphael and St. Rose in Maryland, and most recently embraced the parish at St. Frederick and St. Stephen in Edisto, SC.

   Jim and Mary were high school sweethearts and married in Bethesda, MD on June 12, 1970. They had 3 children, Ja, Jon, and Pete. Jim was heavily involved in his sons’ sports endeavors. He loved coaching, volunteering, and attending every game. This passion and love continued with his five grandchildren; he was often attending plays, dance recitals, and a plethora of sporting events. Jim was a gentle and congenial man, befriending everyone he encountered. He loved his family and treasured his time as husband, father, and grandfather.

   Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Virginia Ridgway; his sons, James Alan Ridgway Jr. (Lauren), Jonathan Charles Ridgway (Holly), and Peter Joseph Ridgway (Jennifer); and his sisters, Ann Marie Myers and Jean Chornock. He was deeply loved by his five grandchildren, Jack, Molly, Alex, Charlie and Skylar.

   Relatives and friends may call at St. Frederick and St. Stephen Church, 544 SC-174, Edisto Island, SC, Saturday, March 14, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM with a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment at St. Frederick and St. Stephen’s Columbarium.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Adult Congenital Heart Association, 5950 Symphony Woods Rd, Suite 212, Columbia, MD 21044 or Little Sisters of the Poor, 4200 Harewood Road N.E., Washington, DC 20017.