Elbridge “Eb” Adolphus Aldridge passed away on May 4, 2009, after a miraculous battle with heart disease.
Eb, or Abe as his family called him, was born in Summit City on Feb. 25, 1932, to the late Nellie (Smith) and Dolph Aldridge.
Ed attended the Kingsley schools, where he was a star basketball and baseball player.
He continued to play All-City baseball and basketball, where he won many tournaments. He was privileged to play three games with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Eb coached Pee Wee, Poney and adult baseball teams for many years, taking his teams to state titles.
Eb’s love for country music encompassed his entire life. He had many dance bands over a 35-year span, including the Drifters, and the Rhythm Kings. He played for weddings and anniversaries, and donated many evenings to play for benefits to help those in need from disasters and/or health issues.
For the last 20 years, he devoted his musical talents by playing guitar and singing at the many nursing homes in the area and at the Traverse City Senior Center. He was a member of the Traverse City Senior Center Kitchen Band for 10 years. He will be missed by the Country Bumpkins, who will continue his legacy of playing for the shut ins.
Eb also spent many hours in his workshop making special lectern for Pine Grove Church and many special, fancy shelving units for family and friends.
Eb worked for 20 years at Parsons Manufacturing as a tool and die inspector. He retired from the Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital in 1987. He was the head carpenter and cabinet maker for the hospital.
Eb considered his number one rule in life was to serve his heavenly Father. He was a true evangelist, taking every opportunity to tell others how God brought him through many, many physical trials and miraculously healed his body many, many times. He led many to receive the Lord into their hearts.
He was a member of the Pine Grove Church in Traverse City. He was proud to travel for the Lord and be part of the prayer deliverance team to help others find true peace and freedom in their lives through the Lord.
Eb married Elizabeth M. (Bannon) Passer on Oct. 27, 1984, in Traverse City.
Eb is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Passer) “Betty”; and his five children, Denis (Robin) Aldridge of South Boardman, Cindi (Ted) Carlisle of Grawn, Luann (Alan) Clark of Traverse City, Evelyn (Frank) Aldridge of Florida and Todd (Nancy) Aldridge of South Boardman, and their mother, Lucille Lewis of Grawn. He is also survived by two brothers, Basil (Loynola) Aldridge of Muskegon and Dolph Aldridge of Traverse city; one sister, Donna Martin of Kinsley; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; many step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dolph and Nellie Aldridge; brothers, Mancel and Tom; sisters Charise, Ruth, Varden (#1), Julia and Varden (#2); and sister in law, Dixie Aldridge.
The celebration of Eb's life will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at the Pine Grove Church of God, 790 Indian Trail Blvd., with visitation held one hour prior. Visitation will also be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 8, also at the church. Burial will take place at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pine Grove Church of God.