Gary Lee Ritter

MSgt. Gary "Tex" Lee Ritter, Retired U. S. Air Force, 61, of Biloxi, MS, died Wednesday, September 28, 2011 in New Oreans, LA. Gary was born May 8, 1950, in Buckhannon, Upshire, WV. He graduated in 1969 from Seneca Valley High School and joined the U. S. Air Force at the age of 18. He served 23 years and retired in 1993. After retiring from the military he went to work for Coastal Communications where he was employed for the past 16 years. He enjoyed spending time in his garden, working around the yard and playing with his grandkids. He was quick to laugh and liked to make others laugh as well. We are blessed to have known him and he will be sorely missed, but always in our thoughts, hearts and prayers. Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Agnes Robinson Ritter; nephew, Timothy Ritter; brother, Chester Terry Ritter and step-mother, Emogene Ritter. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Ochea Ritter, whom he married April 29, 1972; his father, Chester K. Ritter and his companion, Helen Ritter, of Zelienople, PA; three sons, Allan (Stephanie) Ritter of Gulfport, John Ritter and Alvin Ritter of Biloxi; daughter, Elizabeth (Adam) Blanchard of Ocean Springs; brothers, Larry (Barbara) Ritter of Zelienople, Jimmy (Pat) Dean of West Virginia, Clinton (Denise) Dean of Tennessee, and Michael (Ruth) Ritter of New Hampshire; sister, Mary Lou (Claude) Street of West Virginia, Paula Rees of Moon Township, PA, Connie (Tom) Davis and Cheryl (Mike) Golden of West Virginia; Mother-in-law, Matilda Ochea of Biloxi; grandchildren, Adam, Andrew and Addison Ritter, and Emily, Nathan and Ava Blanchard; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2011, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home 2511 Pass Road, Biloxi, where friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until service time.