James Edward Ritchie

Saturday, April 2, 2011

James Edward Ritchie, born July 16, 1930, in Rich Hill, Mo., died April 11, 2011, in his home at age 80.

He is survived by his wife, Karol; two children, Karen (Ritchie) Ritter and Mark Ritchie; his daughter-in-law, Leah Hardy; and his three grandchildren, Kathryn and Emily Ritter and Ky Hardy-Ritchie.

James was a veteran of the Navy following the Korean War. He met his wife Karol and they were married Feb. 2, 1956. James worked at General Motors for 35 years. James and his wife, Karol, raised their two children in Olathe, Kan. After retiring, the Ritchies moved to Wichita, Kan., to be closer to family. They have lived in Wichita for 18 years. James is preceded in death by his father, Claude Ritchie; his mother, Elsie (King) Ritchie; and his brother, Harold Ritchie.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday, April 3, from 2-4 p.m., at Watson Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service at the Deerfield Cemetery in Deerfield, Mo. Services in Deerfield will be provided by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Monday, April 4, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Victory in the Valley, 3755 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, Kan., 67218 and the American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, 818 Emporia Suite 100, Wichita, Kan., 67214.

Share memories of James at watsonfuneral.com.