Clarence "Buzzy" Ridgell, 84 of Scotland, MD died June 11, 2009 in the Civista Medical Center, La Plata, Md.

He was born in Scotland, MD on October 11, 1924. He was the twelfth of fourteen children of the late Clarence and Hattie Ridgell. He is survived by one sibling; Sister Lorraine of Sister's of Blessed Sacrament, his wife; Jean Raley Ridgell, children; J. Scott Ridgell, Steven Ridgell, Donna Taylor and Lila Hofmeister, sister-in-law Grace Ridgell 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

In 1943, he graduated from St. Michael's High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps Aviation Program. He graduated from Texas A&M College, Cadet Program and was sent to air gunnery school in Harlingen Air Force Base, TX. Upon completion of gunnery school he went to the Cadet Training Corps in San Antonio, TX. He was sent to San Angelo AFB for bombardier training. In November 1944, he graduated and received his wings and commission. After the war was over, he was assigned to the recon squadron in Yokota, Japan; he was the assigned to a rescue squadron in Kadena, Okinawa. In the fall of 1949 he returned to Randolph AFB in San Antonio, TX to begin pilot training, in April of 1950 he married Jean Raley in the Randolph Chapel. He completed pilot training at Enid AFB, Oklahoma. He was assigned to Roswell AFB, New Mexico to join a B-50 Crew in the Strategic Air Command-SAC.

In September 1953 the family returned to St. Mary's and bought the store from James Harry Raley, his father-in-law. He enjoyed store business and politics; in 1962 he was elected to the Board of County Commissioners. He has been a member of the American Legion Post 255 in Ridge for fifty years.

Family will receive friends in the St. Michael's Catholic Church, 16555 Three Notch Road, Ridge, MD 20680 on Sunday, June 14, 2009 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. with prayers recited at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Church. Interment will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Todd Taylor, Brady Ridgell, Shea Ridgell, Steven Taylor, Michael Hofmeister and J.C. Hofmeister. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dick Carroll, Steve "Polock" Soroka, Chief Larry Eberhard and Joseph White.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MSGR. John B. Peacock Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 429, Ridge, MD 20680.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LfoeCMGeE2jAe99-qCTPLA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_i9neRm1b-Bc/SjfKJogDaMI/AAAAAAAAEL4/ym9FjGmNtLM/s400/buzzys_store_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">Photo by Ann Laigle, 2002. From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/somd.com/SoMdMonthInPhotos2009June?feat=embedwebsite">So. Md. Month in Photos: 2009 June</a></td></tr></table>