From Bill Gantz (VMO-2):
"We lost a good man & pilot Sunday. He & Sue were on a trip when he died unexpectedly in Pennsylvania hospital."
Col. James W. Rider, USMC --- 2 Sept 1935 to 28 June 2015 (79 yrs)

I will miss Jim.
Always kept me on my toes during our reunions.

Sorry to hear that. Jim was a good righteous Marine. My sympathy to his family.

R.I.P. Col Rider.

RIP Colonel. Prayers to the family....

OBITUARY:
JAMES WESLEY RIDER, SR. Lt. Col. James "Jim" Rider (USMC) was raised a devout Catholic. Jim took seriously Jesus' injunction to serve the "least of these." Jim died unexpectedly in a Pennsylvania hospital while on a family trip with his devoted wife of 56 years, Suzanne Costich Rider. His daughter, Cecilia wrote: "The trait that stood out the most for me about Dad was his compassion for others. He was always reaching out to help anyone he came across who was in need, whether that need be housing, food, prayer, spiritual counseling, life coaching, employment or just a place to belong on Thanksgiving. So many people came in and out of our home over the years. These people were accepted no matter their ethnicity, appearance or circumstance. My dad taught me to love all and find good in each person I met."

Born in West Valley, NY, Jim was the eldest child of the late Wesley and Mary Rider. Born on Labor Day, Jim earned a degree from Cornell University in Labor Relations. Despite four advanced degrees, including a Ph.D., Jim never shied away from manual labor; it was as common to see Jim with a hammer as it was a computer. Said his daughter, Elizabeth: "Dad taught his children the importance of family, humility, how to change a tire and the value of hard work."

One of Jim and Sue's greatest accomplishments was starting a Southern version of the Christian Family Living Center (CFL), a family ministry they led in cooperation with The Society of Mary (Marianists). After the ministry's humble beginnings in their Hubert, N.C. home, the Riders and supporters built a permanent CFL home on North Topsail Beach, where scores of families and others enjoyed retreats celebrating God's love for us and our love for each other. Despite some opposition, Jim and Sue allowed the Center to be used as housing for the homeless during the off-season. Jim and Sue worked year-round without monetary compensation to make the family program successful.

A highly decorated veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, Jim faced death in 1969 when his helicopter was shot down. His co-pilot dead, Jim survived, but required months of medical care before returning to active duty. He is survived by his children: Mary (Patrick); Elizabeth Soboeiro (Michael); Dinh (Linda); Wesley (Lisa); Cecilia Adams (Shannon); Rebecca Rider-Yopp (Garland); and Jimi (Den); grandchildren: Patrick, Jessica, Andrew, Suzanne, Chelsea, Raymond, James "JJ", Lucy, Garland, Bernadette, Moira, Veronica, Timothy, Annie, Michael and Mary Evelyn; great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Brooklyn and Brody; brother, Daniel; sister, Mary Jo "Bonny" Crone.

In mid-life, Jim became an avid long-distance runner. He joined an Onslow County Hash House Harriers group in which he was given the name, "Topsail Gospel." Amazingly, he participated in more than 1,000 Hash runs, scores of weekend road races and more than 50 marathons. Always a jokester, Jim possessed a wonderful sense of humor. Said Rebecca: "I will carry his smile with me forever, and some of my best memories of him involve his happy mischief." In 1993, Catholic Charities bestowed Jim and Sue with The John J. Carey Award for Outstanding Social Ministry. The award is presented "for outstanding contributions in the Diocese of Raleigh that respond to the need for the dignity of life."

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday (July 20) at All Saints Catholic Church at 11 a.m. (18737 U.S. Highway 17; Hampstead, NC 28443). In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the charity of your choice in Jim's name.