James Wesley Ritter

James Wesley Ritter was born Feb. 23, 1923, in rural Stevens County, Kan., to James Albert Ritter and Lillie Mae Hudson Ritter. He completed the eighth grade at Banner Township School in Stevens County. In 1937, he moved with his parents to a farm east of Springdale, Ark. He graduated from Springdale High School in 1941 and attended the University of Arkansas. He entered the United States Army during the Second World War and served until 1946. After his military service, he returned to Springdale and re-entered the University of Arkansas, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business administration in 1949. After college, he joined Preferred Risk Insurance in Fayetteville, beginning a lifelong insurance career. Later, he joined high school classmate and longtime friend, Joe S. "Sandy" Boone, to form Boone Ritter Insurance Agency in Springdale. James was active in Junior Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club. He served the community on the Public Library Board, the Museum Board and the Salvation Army Board. He was a lifelong member First United Methodist Church where he served the Lord in many capacities. He was a passionate gardener, cultivating a large garden each year. He loved camping, fishing and trail riding. He was a member of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and participated in annual trail rides through Banff National Park for many years. On March 26, 1955, he married Kathryn Bernice Strickland. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage. Survivors include two sons, David Wesley Ritter and wife, Emily, of Katy, Texas, Charles Brent Ritter and wife, Connie, of San Mateo, Calif.; and daughter, Sandra Jean Engelking and husband, Ernst, of Newkirk, Okla. Grandchildren include, 1st Lt. Zachary Jordan Ritter of Minot, N.D., Olivia Ellen Ritter of Katy, Texas, Devon Lee Mobley-Ritter of San Mateo, Calif., James Nicholas Mobley-Ritter of San Mateo, Calif., John Clayton Morgan and wife, Beth, of Ponca City, Okla., and Kelly Nicole Morgan of Stillwater, Okla. James has one great-granddaughter, Piper Elizabeth Morgan of Ponca City, Okla. James was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; brothers, Kenneth Ritter, Lynn Ritter, Wilbur "Bill" Ritter and Virgil Ritter; and sisters, Laura Ritter, Louise Connor, Wanda Davis and Jean Wilmoth. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept 7, at First United Methodist Church, followed by burial at Bluff Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762; or to First United Methodist Church Bread of Life Ministry, 206 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale, AR 72764. Online condolences may be made to www.siscofuneral.com.