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COMO, North Carolina — The Honorable Judge James Dillard Riddick III, 70, passed away on Sept. 12, 2020.

Born in Franklin on July 18, 1950, he was a son of the late James Dillard Riddick Jr. and Marjorie Griffin Riddick. He was also predeceased by his brother, William Hugh Riddick.

Judge Riddick was a Navy veteran and served on the USS Constitution and the USS Mount Whitney.

He received a degree in journalism and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of North Carolina and was the first Morehead Scholar from Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

Judge Riddick was a retired District Court Judge for District 6B and former appeals referee for the state of North Carolina Employment Commission.

He was a longtime member of the Como Ruritan Club and held every office on the local level. Judge Riddick was an assistant Girl Scout leader for Troop No. 763 in Murfreesboro, and a member of New Hope United Methodist Church. He was an avid sailor and lover of cats and enjoyed tent camping and going to the Florida Keys.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 38 years, Connie Grizzard Riddick; a daughter, Melundy Vandiford; a son, Robert Edwards; three grandchildren, Bridgette Sawyer (Eric), Brittany Vandiford and Jonathan Edwards; and two great-grandchildren, Brooklynn and Kohlton Sawyer.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Poplar Spring Cemetery in Franklin, with the Rev. Hoyle Green and the Rev. Bob Deacon officiating.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Como Volunteer Fire Department.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.