Odren “Tuffy” Riddle was born February 28,1927, on the old Rozell Place in Keesee township in a cabin in Marion County, Arkansas. He was the son of Nathan John Riddle and Earsie May (Hodge) Riddle.
He served in the United States Navy from September 1943 until April of 1946. He then joined the United States Air Force in January of 1948 and served until February 1952.
When his enlistment expired, he returned to Baxter Springs, Kansas.
He spent years operating his own plumbing service, “Riddle Plumbing,” and the Texaco station on 9th and Military. He also was a rural mail carrier at the Galena Post Office. He was a lifetime member of the Veteran Underage Military Service, NRA Golden Eagle, and the Baxter Springs American Legion Post 206.
He loved spending time with his nieces and nephews and kids in the neighborhood. The kids on Lincoln Street in Baxter Springs knew Tuffy and one of his favorite holidays was the 4th of July! He loved spoiling the kids buying them 500 packs of fireworks and hanging them in the trees to light them off. He was known for making kites from old newspapers and helping fly them, and making whistles out of tree branches for them to play with. He also enjoyed sharing his military experiences and stories with all of his family and friends.
Tuffy is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Howard and Homer Riddle, two sisters Leona Riddle Hessee and Doratha Riddle Marsh and a niece Regina Riddle.
He is survived by many nieces and nephews; Andrea, Mike, Billy, Bob, Pam, Gene, Susan, Steve, Dan, Charles, Linda, John, and Lynne.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at the Lowell Cemetery. Pastor Jeff Street will officiate. In memory of Tuffy donations may be made in his memory at www.myolivetree.com, memorial Odren E. Riddle. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.
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