1942
Ralph
2024
Ralph Pedigo
March 18, 1942 — August 22, 2024
Ralph L. Pedigo, 82, of Amarillo, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 26, 2024 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon with Brad Ingram, pastor of Hillside Christian Church, Amarillo, officiating.
Ralph was born on March 18, 1942 in Crowley, Louisiana to Willard and Pearl (Meche) Pedigo. He was a 1959 graduate of Crowley High School where he was voted 'Most Talented'. He served in the U.S. Air Force where he was a mechanic on fighter planes and then became a line-boy. This is where he developed a lifelong passion for aviation.
After the military, Ralph worked for the City of Amarillo as a police officer. He left the Amarillo police department to pursue a career with the Texas Department of Public Safety. During this time some of his closest friends purchased a small airplane together to learn to fly. Grateful for the assistance the GI Bill offered, Ralph was able to pay for flight training and receive his certifications. Thus began his career in the aviation industry. He owned his own company as an ag pilot which served as a stepping stone to a career as a private charter pilot. Soon, he became Chief Pilot at Amarillo Aircraft and from there pursued a career as a commercial airline pilot. In 1984, his tenacious desire to fly led him to the beginning of a successful career with America West Airlines where he flew the Boeing 737, 757 and the Airbus 320. After retirement in 2002, he then became a personal pilot for Jack B. Kelley until his health prohibited him from flying any longer. Because of his immense love for flying, Ralph always declared his job was his hobby.
On August 22, 1968, Ralph took his first solo flight, and exactly 56 years later, on August 22, 2024, he took his final solo flight to his heavenly destination.
Ralph was preceded in death by a son, Jared Blaine Pedigo, grandson son, Kaiden Jared Pedigo, two brothers, Henry and Lonnie Pedigo, and a sister, Esther Red.
Survivors include his children, daughter, Megan Cherry and husband, Ronnie, and son, Brady Pedigo; Megan, Jared and Brady's mom, Lisa Pedigo Medina; children from a previous marriage, son, Terry Pedigo, and daughter, Becky Pedigo; six grandchildren, Rylan and Cason Pedigo, Owen and Olivia Cherry, Taylor Brewster and Hayden Pedigo; and a sister, Janet Watford.
The family suggests memorials be to the National Kidney Foundation of West Texas, PO Box 51231, Amarillo, Texas 79159.
Ralph was born on March 18, 1942 in Crowley, Louisiana to Willard and Pearl (Meche) Pedigo. He was a 1959 graduate of Crowley High School where he was voted 'Most Talented'. He served in the U.S. Air Force where he was a mechanic on fighter planes and then became a line-boy. This is where he developed a lifelong passion for aviation.
After the military, Ralph worked for the City of Amarillo as a police officer. He left the Amarillo police department to pursue a career with the Texas Department of Public Safety. During this time some of his closest friends purchased a small airplane together to learn to fly. Grateful for the assistance the GI Bill offered, Ralph was able to pay for flight training and receive his certifications. Thus began his career in the aviation industry. He owned his own company as an ag pilot which served as a stepping stone to a career as a private charter pilot. Soon, he became Chief Pilot at Amarillo Aircraft and from there pursued a career as a commercial airline pilot. In 1984, his tenacious desire to fly led him to the beginning of a successful career with America West Airlines where he flew the Boeing 737, 757 and the Airbus 320. After retirement in 2002, he then became a personal pilot for Jack B. Kelley until his health prohibited him from flying any longer. Because of his immense love for flying, Ralph always declared his job was his hobby.
On August 22, 1968, Ralph took his first solo flight, and exactly 56 years later, on August 22, 2024, he took his final solo flight to his heavenly destination.
Ralph was preceded in death by a son, Jared Blaine Pedigo, grandson son, Kaiden Jared Pedigo, two brothers, Henry and Lonnie Pedigo, and a sister, Esther Red.
Survivors include his children, daughter, Megan Cherry and husband, Ronnie, and son, Brady Pedigo; Megan, Jared and Brady's mom, Lisa Pedigo Medina; children from a previous marriage, son, Terry Pedigo, and daughter, Becky Pedigo; six grandchildren, Rylan and Cason Pedigo, Owen and Olivia Cherry, Taylor Brewster and Hayden Pedigo; and a sister, Janet Watford.
The family suggests memorials be to the National Kidney Foundation of West Texas, PO Box 51231, Amarillo, Texas 79159.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph Pedigo, please visit our flower store.
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