HEARTS Veterans Museum of Texas

11/04/2026

11/02/2026

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The Honorable Judge Hal R. Ridley passed away unexpectedly at his home in Huntsville, Texas, on October 30, 2026. A beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Hal will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Full obituary and guestbook can be found at
www.heritageoakfh.com/obituaries/hal-ridley

10/31/2026

Trunk or Treat until 7! We are having a blast!

10/31/2026

Today was a truly special day as Congressman Pete Sessions presented Tom Oleinik and Tom Fordyce with the prestigious Congressional Veterans Commendation.

This distinguished honor recognizes veterans who have continued their commitment to service long after taking off the uniform. Their dedication to their communities, their fellow veterans, and the values they defended while serving our country is a testament to the true meaning of service above self.

Please join us in congratulating Tom Oleinik and Tom Fordyce on this well-deserved recognition! We are incredibly proud of both gentlemen and grateful for the lasting impact they continue to make.

We would also like to recognize Tara, Executive Director of H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas, who serves as Chairwoman of the Congressional Veterans Commendation Committee. Her dedication to ensuring our veterans receive the recognition they deserve is something we are especially proud of.

Today’s ceremony was also bittersweet, as this marks our final year participating in the Congressional Veterans Commendation program under Congressman Pete Sessions due to congressional redistricting. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Congressman Sessions and his staff for their years of dedication to recognizing the veterans who continue to serve our communities. It has been an honor to be part of this meaningful tradition.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make today’s ceremony so special.

A special thank-you to the American Legion Post 95 Honor Guard for the dignified Posting and Retiring of the Colors. Your participation brought a sense of honor, tradition, and reverence to this meaningful occasion.

We are also grateful to C.F. Hazelwood for delivering the Invocation and Benediction, offering thoughtful words of prayer as we opened and concluded our ceremony.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the Texas Prison Museum for graciously providing the space for today’s ceremony and to Cafe Texan for the wonderful meal. Your generosity and hospitality helped make this occasion even more memorable.

At H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas, we believe that service does not end when the uniform comes off. Today, we had the privilege of celebrating two extraordinary examples of that belief.

Congratulations, gentlemen, and thank you for your continued service to our country and our community.

10/30/2026

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Please keep the Ridley family in your thoughts and prayers. Hal was a wonderful man and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Rest in peace Hal

Retired 278th District Judge Hal Ridley Has Passed Away

WALKER COUNTY, TEXAS — Former 278th Judicial District Court Judge Hal Ridley, a longtime attorney and jurist with deep ties to the Walker County area, has passed away.

Ridley served as presiding judge of the 278th Judicial District Court, which serves Walker, Madison and Leon counties. He retired from the bench on December 31, 2024.

Trinity Police Chief Jeter reflected on Ridley’s influence following news of his death, “I learned a lot from him over the years,” Jeter said.

Ridley had a lengthy legal career before and during his public service. He worked in private practice from 1983 until December 2014 and also served as an instructor in real estate and business law at Sam Houston State University.

His education included a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in 1975 and a master’s degree from Texas A&M in 1976. He earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law in 1980.

Ridley also served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and National Guard from 1975 until October 1986.

He began serving as presiding judge of the Texas 278th Judicial District Court on January 1, 2015. He served through two listed terms, from 2015 through 2018 and from 2019 through 2022, before ultimately retiring from the bench at the end of 2024.

Ridley’s career spanned decades of service in law, education, the military and the judiciary, leaving a lasting presence in the Walker County legal community.

10/28/2026

Are you a veteran family needing assistance during the Thanksgiving holidays or during Christmas? Do you have a family member deployed that could use some holiday cheer? Please reach out and give us the details. We always have wonderful organizations that are willing to assist during the holidays. You can email us at [email protected] or message us here!

10/22/2026

If you have baskets, gift cards, or items you’d like to donate for our silent or live auction at the Veterans Day Banquet 11/11/2026 at 6pm Please let us know!!!