Rusty Wayne Aldridge – February 16, 2025

Rusty Wayne Aldridge, 58, of Colorado Springs died Sunday, February 16, 2025, after a long battle with cardiac issues and kidney failure.  He was born on August 5, 1966, in Cleburne, Texas, to Wanda Aldridge and grew up in the greater Cleburne area where he attended school.  Growing up as a fullback, Rusty went on to play football for Texas Christian University before a short stint with the Oakland Raiders.  When football had served its purpose, he worked for Eagle Mountain Fire Department as a fireman and paramedic before finding his first true love…hockey.  Thanks to the Dallas Stars and Fort Worth Fire, Rusty was hooked on what would be a long career in minor league hockey for various teams throughout the country.  After 1,000 games worked by 2014 and one more season following, his first heart attack in 2015 forced him to power down the skate sharpener and come home.  With his declining health, he continued working until a couple of years ago to rest easy and maintain what energy he had left to support his wife in any way he could. 

Rusty is survived by his wife of 22 years, Stacy, his second first true love, and was preceded in death by brothers, Randy and Ricky, in addition to his mother, Wanda.  He was a cowboy’s cowboy, loyal George Strait fan, and as a former champion “bulldogger” he held beloved everything about rodeo life and ranching.  As a Texan, he loved TCU and the Dallas Cowboys.  Hockey played a very important role in the greater part of his adult life, where he realized his OCD side.  He worked tirelessly to ensure players had everything perfectly prepared for their greatest odds of winning.  As a teacher, coach, and mentor, he was always thrilled to see a young “stick kid” or player make it to the NHL.  Rusty chose to forego his “show” opportunities to stay closer to Colorado Springs where he and Stacy claimed their homebase.  Hunting, fishing, and camping provided him much joy and he loved the outdoors immensely.  As a sports fan, he appreciated a good game, no matter the contest.  His greatest gift to our world was his sense of humor and storytelling.  Rusty loved to make people smile and always had a joke ready to share. 

A special note of gratitude to Rusty’s medical team over the past 8 ½ years.  He had the best of the best, keeping him in one piece.  The Emergency Room team at Memorial Central were always so supportive and the cardiac floor incredible.  Security Fire Department, Station #4, spent many visits at Rusty’s home making sure he was in the best condition possible with frequent trips in their ambulance.  The Liberty Dialysis Team, especially Calvin, Nurse Karen, Ryan, Connie, and Malena…you are a primary reason he lived so long. 

There will never be another cowboy like Rusty Wayne and nothing will ever close the gap he leaves for the rest of us to fill with our fond memories and stories.  Those of us who knew him well, knew exactly why he will be remembered as “Rip.”  A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date.