Huntsville, Texas - Paul Overton Ridings Jr. passed away on March 6, 2026, at the age of 77.

Paul Ridings Jr. was born on June 12,1948, in Fort Worth, Texas to Paul O. Ridings and Freddie Ridings. He would go on to become a third-generation journalist and public relations practitioner. Paul Ridings Jr. graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Arts degree in journalism from Texas Christian University. His grandfather, J. Willard Ridings, founded the journalism and public relations departments at TCU. Afterwards, he worked at TCU as the Assistant Sports Information Director.

Paul Ridings was an officer in the army reserve for 6 years. He ended his military career as a Captain.

He worked as Sports Information Director at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas before transitioning to become the Public Relations Director for the Dallas Tornado Soccer Club. He went on to become the Associate Sports Information Director at SMU for eight years.

On May 3, 1986, he married the love of his life Mary Kathleen Hamm.

In 1989, he became the Sports Information Director at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He worked there for 26 years, retiring in 2016.

He was a member of The First Christian Church of Huntsville for 26 years where he served as an Elder.

Paul Ridings Jr. loved nature, exploring the Grand Canyon and many other natural parks in his spare time. He was passionate about sports, continuing to donate his time and efforts to sports journalism even after his retirement.

He is survived by his wife Mary Kathleen Ridings, his son Nathan Joseph Ridings, and his two dogs.

The visitation will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on March 14th from 4-6PM. There will be a service held on at First Christian Church in Huntsville, Texas at 2PM on March 15th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations made go to the Rita B. Huff Humane Society in Paul's Memory.