Mark Ridlen's Obituary
Mark Douglas Ridlen, age 65, of Dallas, Texas passed away November 17, 2024, after an extended and ongoing battle with cancer. Mark was born August 27, 1959, in Dallas, TX where he remained a life-long resident. He graduated from MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas and also attended Northlake College, as well as spending a semester studying in Vatican City, Italy. After college, Mark worked in his father's company, Ridlen Mfg. for 10 years before branching out into his own businesses in the entertainment world.
Having long expressed interest in the entertainment field, Mark began pursuing these interests as early as high school when he appeared in Ron Howard's directorial debut, “Cotton Candy”, shot in Dallas. In this made-for-TV feature film, Mark played a member of a rock band, and he continued that interest in rock music in real life via a variety of music groups, including his bands Quad Pi and Lithium X-Mas. Both of these groups played live music in well-known Dallas venues and produced recordings familiar to local and national alternative music fans. The band Lithium Xmas was active for 4 decades and played extensively within the emerging Deep Ellum music scene along with many soon-to-be nationally known acts such as the New Bohemians, Rev. Horton Heat, The Toadies, etc.
Mark’s ability and great love of music led him to pursue his career as a professional DJ, a career which spanned over 4 decades. His activities evolved from creating custom music tapes for retail outlets, to spinning records at prominent Dallas’ nightclubs, such as the iconic Starck Club located in Dallas’ West End district in the 80s. Mark eventually co-hosted weekly radio shows on local public access stations as well, and also worked regular DJ shifts for many well-known local venues. One of his more famous regular stints was the long-running karaoke/singalong party known as "Scaraoke!" For all these various DJ events Mark marketed himself under the brand name, “DJ Mr. Rid”. Under this professional moniker, Mark spun recorded music for a variety of venues, local hotels, bars, corporate events, and other special engagements including the Texas State Fair.
While continuing to work steadily, in the past three years, Ridlen began quietly battling persistent kidney and lung cancers. To Mark’s credit, he generally refused to let his health slow him down, preferring to remain busy and was in demand until the final weeks before his passing. Some of his final entertainment work involved producing special commemorative events, including helping celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club at the Kessler and the aforementioned work at the State Fair of Texas. To all who encountered Mark the common regard was one of consideration, musical expertise, positivity and hard work. To all who had the fortune to know him, Mark will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Mark was preceded in death by his father, Donald Edward Ridlen, and he is survived by his mother, Nancy C. Bosarge, Gulfport MS and his brother, David Eric Ridlen., Los Angeles, CA. along with numerous cousins and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his church, Lakewood Methodist Church. Further plans for a memorial service may also soon be announced.
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