Thomas Wilson Ritter

Thomas Wilson Ritter

July 1, 1935 – April 27, 2018

Thomas Wilson Ritter departed this life Friday, April 27, 2018, at The Haven at Crestview in Bryan, TX, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born July 1, 1935, in McKinney, TX, to Hugh Thomas Ritter and Ruby Harriett Massie Ritter. He was a proud descendent of the Wilson family of Collin County, TX. He graduated from Boyd High School in McKinney, TX, and received a BS in Education from Southeastern State College in Durant, OK, in 1958. While at Southeastern he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, vice-president of his senior class, and a faithful member of the Wesley Foundation.

After graduation, he joined the US Navy where he served on the CVS-40 anti-submarine aircraft carrier USS Tarawa. Onboard he served the Executive Officer, Commander R. T. Brinn, and also volunteered as a ship basketball team coach. He was a member of the USS Tarawa CV-40 and LHA-1 Association until its recent dissolution.

He made a career in transportation safety and worked for numerous oil and crude gathering companies. He was recognized nationally for his work in safety policies and tank design – including an award at the first annual ATA Private Carrier Conference while at Pride Refining in Abilene, TX.

He was a faithful Episcopalian and served in many capacities over the years: Bishop’s Warden, Diocesan Council representative, usher captain, Lay Eucharistic minister, Search committee member, Cursillista, Ultreya member, and Stephen Minister.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Hugh and Ruby Ritter; and his sister Maxine Ritter Tomlinson. He is survived by his loving wife Kathy Holmes Ritter of Bryan; his daughter Erika Ritter Moore and her husband Tim of Paducah, TX; his grandchildren Alyssa and Rory Moore of Paducah; his sister Mariam Ritter Hill and her husband Frankie of Wylie, TX; and a large extended family who loved Tom dearly. Tom felt his greatest accomplishment in life was his sweet daughter Erika and he was always so proud of her and her family.

The inurnment will be in the Columbarium at Saint Paul’s on the Plains Episcopal Church, 1510 Avenue X, Lubbock, TX, on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Arbor Oaks Chapel at Arbor Oaks at Crestview, 2505 East Villa Maria Road, Bryan, TX, at 2:00 P.M.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers and doctors at Crestview for their kind and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider the Saint Andrew’s Endowment Fund at 217 West 26thStreet, Bryan, TX 77803 or Cal Farley’s at POB 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174.

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com.

Condolences

  1. Kathy, My deepest condolences to you and the whole Ritter family. My God give you peace.

  2. Kathy,

    We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for God’s peace and comfort for you and your family during this hard time.

  3. Kathy,
    Am so sorry to hear the news on Tom, but bet he has hit those pearly gates. May God be with you in the coming days.

  4. Kathy, I’m so sorry for your loss. I just heard about it yesterday. I was in Greece for a couple of weeks but how I missed the news I don’t know. All my love and sympathy in Jesus the Messiah, Fran Kimbrough

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