Frank Wesley Riddle

Frank Wesley Riddle, 90, of Mount Vernon, Washington, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2026, at home surrounded by family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born on November 14, 1935, in Amarillo, Texas, Frank was the son of Annie Mae (Smith) and Frank Hale Riddle. He spent his childhood and teenage years in Texas with his two sisters, Hazel and Pauline. Growing up in a family with very little, he helped support them by picking cotton from a young age. By the time he was 17, he had decided to join the military, but there was one small problem: he was too underweight to pass the required physical examination. With determination and a little help from his sister, he set out to gain enough weight to qualify, eating as many bananas as he could and drinking plenty of water. He succeeded, joined the service, and the rest is history.

Corporal Frank served in the United States Marine Corps as a Rifleman (MOS 0311), including active duty in the Korean War. He was awarded the following medals: The National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Frank’s military service was one of the most meaningful and formative experiences of his life. He carried that commitment to service with him throughout the years, remaining deeply dedicated to supporting fellow veterans and service members.

After his military service, Frank served in numerous roles supporting his family, including logging, long-haul trucking, and for 30 years at the Public Utility District of Skagit County where he retired at the age of 62. Frank was also a proud member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and an active congregant of Allen United Methodist Church for many years. He was known for his subtle sense of humor including phrases like “cotton-pickin’”, “so forth and on”, and “what not”, his strict attention to detail, and his many uses for a pocketknife. He loved his dog Lucy who was beside him until the end.

Frank found joy in maintaining a beautiful yard, tinkering in his shop, cruising, camping and skiing with friends, and eating dessert. Above all, he cherished his family and one way to show his love was by darning any hole you might have in a sock or another article of clothing with a quick “whipstitch”.

Frank is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Cathy Riddle, his children Mike (Arlene) Riddle, Gary (Carie) Riddle, Tracy (Brian) Fien, Eddie (Billie) Hills and Cheri (Steven) Partain; his grandchildren Michelle, Scott, Colleen, Christine, Jamie, Kjel, Anthony, William, Laura, Adrian and Eliana; and great grandchildren Blaiklee, Jaicelyn, Charlie, and Maia, as well as his dear niece Martha Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Hazel and Pauline, his nephew Richard, his daughters Dawn and Lori, and his dear friend John Kuipers.

A graveside service will be held at 10am on November 14, 2026 (Frank’s birthday), at Union Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Military honors will be provided.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Veteran’s Association and Hospice of the Northwest. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Hospice of the Northwest, if desired.

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