A native and lifelong resident of Etowah, he was a son of the late Zeb and Ada McConkey Aldridge. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving with Co. B, 14th Infantry during the Korean War, and earned the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Purple Heart, and the United Nations Service Medal. He was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Aldridge; and two sisters, Leva Dixon and Ethel Tillman.

Survivors include sons and daughters, Steve Aldridge and Bobbie Halcomb of Etowah, Barbara Brakebill and Bill Robinson of Athens, Rita Burgess and Neal Homa of Clinton, LaVonda Matherly and Mike Cooley of Etowah, and Martha Bryan and Steve Morgan of Vonore; grandchildren, David Burgess, Kevin Burgess, Destiny Homa, Dustin Aldridge, Colby Aldridge, Alicia Halcomb, Ashley Lee, Tyler Bryan, Jordan Bryan and Dakota Morgan; 4 great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Bunnie Burger, Myrtle Hipps, Evelyn Rodgers, and Reva Sue Juhl.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2010 in the South Chapel. No other services will be held.

Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah in charge of arrangements