Obituary

I've never written an obituary, but it was a privilege to write this for Johnny. The obituary will appear in the Beaumont Enterprise next week without the photo. I was alarmed at how much adding a photo to an obit cost.  Johnny didn't want the picture in the paper anyway. He was a good brother and I'm going to miss him a lot. - ML

Johnny Elton Ritchey, 68, of Beaumont, died June 20, 2011 at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital East.

Johnny “Big John” Ritchey was born January 24, 1943 in Ryan, OK, to the late Elton and Louise Ritchey from Port Neches. Following graduation from Port Neches-Groves High School in 1960, he attended Lamar University.  He served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1972, serving much of that time in Japan.

Johnny was an employee of Richard Design Services, Inc. in Beaumont as a draftsman. He loved his pets and as an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed the shooting range, a deer lease or fishing hole better than any other place.

Johnny is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cynthia Hayes Ritchey, and his parents. Survivors include his nephew, Charles Hunter of Austin; mother-in-law, Barbara Hayes, of Beaumont; one brother, Richard Lee Ritchey and wife, Melissa , of Kingwood; one sister, Mary Lou Martin and husband, Kim of Baytown; loving uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces.

A private memorial will be held on July 9, in Jasper, TX for family.  Memorial gifts may be mailed to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, TX 77704.