Gerald Eugene “Smokey” Ridenour
Oct. 16, 1960 – May 20, 2019

Gerald Eugene “Smokey” Ridenour was born October 16, 1960, in Eureka to the parents of Stanley L. Ridenour and Mabel K. Doolittle-McMurray. Smokey started his journey on May 20, 2019. Smokey was a resident of Hoopa for many years. Smokey is survived by wife Audrey Williams; daughters Ashley, Mistey, Amber and Natalika Snow Williams; sons, Christopher and Gerald Ridenour Jr.; stepkids Star, Seirra, Jami, Shonta, Lance, Whitney and James; brothers Donald R. Ridenour and Stanley D. Ridenour of Hoopa; his uncle Darrel and aunt Connie Ridenour of Rio Dell; and many many nieces, nephews and his 25 grandkids and three great-grandkids and friends. Smoky was native decent of the Tolowa Smith River and Nomalaki Covelo, California.

He always felt at peace in the woods or on the river. He loved to fish and pick mushrooms. He had a passion for playing the flute and making people laugh.

Smokey preceded in death by his parents Stanley L. Ridenour, and Mabel K. Doolittle-McMurray, two sister’s Linda L. Ridenour-Noble, Mildred K. Criteser-Dildine, and brother Douglas L. Ridenour, niece Tanya Ridenour, and grandparents George William, Ottowell M. Frank T. Doolittle, Mabel K. Doan, Martha Ayers, Alta Cooke, John Cooke, Minnie Roberts, Kate Sontash, Austin Ridenour, Maude Nunnmaker, and many more.

Smokey will be missed by all that knew him and he was deeply loved by his family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to attend services at Tish Tang Campground, Hoopa, on Friday, May 31, at 1 p.m.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Smokey Ridenour’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.