Norris "Stretch" Rideaux (D)

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Personal Information

Judge Norris “Stretch” Rideaux was born February 19, 1954 in Beaumont, Texas. His father, Walter Rideaux, Sr., was born in Lemoyne, Louisiana and his mother, Vena, was born in Opelousas, Louisiana. He has three brothers: Walter, Jr., Larry, and Donald. His father was a laborer and his mother was a housekeeper. Even though Stretch’s parents did not have a formal education, they instilled in him the value of getting a “good education”. They taught him that an education is something that cannot be taken away from you.

Stretch was united in marriage to Geneva Mobley Rideaux of Jasper, Texas on May 22, 1976. They have resided in Dallas County, Texas since October, 1977.

Stretch and Geneva both graduated from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. They moved to Huntsville, Texas in 1976 while Stretch worked as a correctional officer for the Texas Prison System and pursued his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. After Stretch obtained his Master’s degree, they moved to Dallas County.

In 1977, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Pardons and Paroles Division employed Stretch. He advanced to the position of Regional Supervisor, and four years later was hired as an Administrator for Dallas County Government. Stretch Rideaux served for twelve years on the Grand Prairie School Board where he was elected to four three year terms: in 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004. His colleagues also elected Stretch three times as President of the Grand Prairie School Board.