Thomas Keith Riddle

Civil Air Patrol, Lt.Col. Thomas “Keith” Riddle (Hawkeye) of Gulfport, MS passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the age of 44. Keith was born to Thomas and Judy Riddle on September 4, 1970 in Gulfport, MS. An only child, he attended Harrison Central High School. Practically born loving airplanes, he joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in 1982. As a senior member, he earned a reputation as one of the finest aircrew in the business. It has often been said that observers are graded on a scale from "Zero" to "Keith Riddle". No matter what or where, when the balloon went up, Keith was there – Hurricanes Katrina and Isaac and Deepwater Horizon, just to name a few. In addition, Keith was a longtime, active member of the Surrogate Predator Green Flag program, and was instrumental in the management of the AETC-FC/SUPT-FC program at Columbus AFB. In his CAP career, he earned numerous awards for his hard work and dedication including 2 Exceptional Service Awards, a Distinguished Service Award, a Meritorious Service Award, a National Commanders Commendation, the Mississippi Wing Senior Member of the Year, Communicator of the Year, and Logistician of the Year, and the Yeager, Davis, Loening, Garber, and Wilson Awards, to name a few. Keith is survived by his mother and father Judy and Tom Riddle, his aunts and uncles, Terry and Pat Kirkpatrick, Randy Kirkpatrick, Melinda Kelly, Barbara Riddle and Carol Lowe, Marg Collins, and 8 cousins. Loved and missed dearly by his parents, they hope to see him in another place at another time. The visitation will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 12290 Depew Road, Gulfport, MS 39503, on Monday, August 31, 2015 from 1:00 P.M. Until 2:00 P.M. with Mass of Christian Burial directly follow at 2:00 P.M. Friends and family are invited to attend a reception at the St. Joseph’s Church hall directly following the Mass. Flowers and condolences can be sent to St. Joseph’s Church, and donations are suggested for St. Vincent de Paul and the National Hemophilia Foundation at www.hemophilia.org. BRADFORD-O’KEEFE FUNERAL HOME, O’NEAL RD. in charge of arrangements.