More detail on this person: 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 Viet
Nam 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 Rider; 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 Saint's 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.
Published in The News & Observer on July 5, 2015
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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