Hugh Riddick

Hugh Joseph Riddick passed on to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, November 4, 2022. Although no longer with us in body, he remains with us in spirit. Hugh was taken too soon but still managed to live a full life surrounded by people who loved and cherished him. A resident of Baker, Louisiana, he was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on November 6, 1967 and spent his formative years there. Hugh moved to Houston, Texas in 1978 where he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School before returning home to Louisiana to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Louisiana State University.
A thirty-two-year employee of Marston Feed, he met customers' needs and was a friend to most and a close friend to many. He recently became a small engine mechanic for Highland Hardware and Garden and enjoyed working with commercial and residential customers to solve their problems.
Hugh loved to fish, something he likely inherited from his grandfather. He found it a relaxing and good activity for family and friends. He was especially proud of a recently acquired 20' Bay Stealth boat and enjoyed planning future trips just to be on the water and unwind.
Quite the animal lover, Hugh was particularly fond of cats and had several feline companions throughout his adult life. His longtime friends Trixie and Ralphie were joined by two more this year who found themselves homeless, one of which, the exceptionally shy Tasso, only comes out of hiding for Hugh.
Always a child at heart, he maintained a close and loving relationship with his nieces and nephews. Hugh had a love for British comedies like Monty Pythons Flying Circus, Keeping Up Appearances, Fawlty Towers, The Black Adder, Dr. Who, and Are You Being Served? He attended a Louisiana Public Broadcasting fundraiser with hopes to meet John Inman who played Mr. Humphries in the latter comedy and was delighted as John attempted to hug him for a photo and remarked "I can barely put me arms around him!"
Although particularly busy in the Baton Rouge area, Hugh was very fond of travel and managed to carve out time to take road trips with his best friend and companion of thirty years, Kelly Coleman. Together they drove to Colorado several times, Yellowstone National Park, Asheville, North Carolina for a trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as shorter trips to San Antonio and, of course, New Orleans. He also enjoyed visiting a close friend in Indianapolis, Indiana, swinging by Chicago, Illinois for visits there as well.
Hugh was quite an accomplished cook who enjoyed preparing delicious meals and pitching in with family around the holidays. He delighted in new restaurants and old favorites; at the drop of a hat, he and Kelly would be in New Orleans trying out a new eatery or at one of his standards like Mama Rosa's or Qwik Chek. If they had more time, they would travel northwest to Lecompte, Louisiana for a meal at Lea's Pies.
Hugh is survived by Kelly, his father Claude Leon Riddick, sister Patricia Susan Riddick Carter (Emmett), brothers Gregory Claude Riddick (Marie) and Randall David Riddick (Cheryl), nephew Benjamin Paul Carter (Karli, grandnephew Phillip), nieces Claudia Noelle Carter Davis (Luke, grandniece Lennon) and Lilith Catherine Riddick King (Ben), step sister Suzi Merritt Gentry (Ken) and step niece Melissa Darden (John).
Hugh is preceded in death by his mother Claudia Bernice Fontenot Riddick and brother-in-law Emmett Eugene Carter.
The family is hosting a visitation at the Baker Funeral Home, 6401 Groom Road, Baker, Louisiana on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at Baker Funeral Home at 9:00 AM until the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Hugh will be interred at the adjacent Hillcrest Memorial Gardens immediately following the funeral.