Leroy S. Ritchie's Obituary
Leroy Ritchie, born in Des Moines, Iowa on December 23, 1920. He is the oldest son of Josephine (Long) and Walter Ritchie who had 3 boys. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Washington State. Leroy graduated from Stadium High school in 1939 and while attending school he worked with his dad at the family restaurant (Walt’s café) on 6th Avenue. After high school Leroy enlisted in the US Navy during WWII as a 2nd Class Radioman on the USS Pollex where he served for 3 years. Following his Navy service he worked on the Mossy Rock Dam project in Lewis County as a surveyor for the St. Paul Timber Company in Tacoma. He also helped survey Tacoma’s Industrial Airport which lead him to become surveyor Party Chief Engineer where he retired from Pierce County after 30 years.
In 1950 he married his first wife Amy Grout. Together they adopted two children, Neil and Wanda. After many wonderful years together Amy passed away at age 86 in 1993.
In 1994 he then met June Anderson and in 1995 they were married. She had three children from a previous marriage, Annetta and twins Robin and Robert. Together as a family they have seven grandchildren and five great grand children.
Leroy had many passions in life including the great outdoors. Starting in his youth when he joined the Boy Scouts, it fueled his passion for becoming a Scoutmaster for Troop 3 for over 4 decades. But it didn’t stop there; he took the Mountaineers Intermediate climbing class which allowed him to climb Mt. Rainer 12 times (5 different ways) and Mt. Hood three times. Leroy skied 6 mature peaks in Washington State. He also enjoyed serving on the Mountain Rescue Ski Patrol. Other passions of Leroy was volunteering in remodeling 6th Ave Baptist church where he was a Deacon. He also helped several women of the church who needed miscellaneous tasks completed at their homes such as painting etc.. With all of his other achievements in 1948 he started donation blood every 2 months, by the time the doctors’ told him to stop at the age of 80 he had donated just under 25 gallons.
Leroy Is survived by his wife June of 21 years, daughter Annetta Scott, son Neil and seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Also survived by brother, Russell, who resides in California. He was predeceased by his brother Wayne who passed away in August 17, 2012.
Leroy passed away surrounded by his family and his loving wife of 21 years at Providence Hospital, Colby Campus, in Everett. He went to be our loving Father in heaven at 4:20 pm on December 29, 2016.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday January 22, 2017 at 2:00/PM at Grace Baptist Church, 2507 N Vassault St. Tacoma WA 98405.
Graveside services for Leroy will be held on Monday January 23, 2017 at 10:30/AM at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Lakewood WA 98499. A gathering will be held at the funeral home prior to services at 10:00/AM. Family and friends kindly invited.
In lieu of flowers donations in Leroy's memory to Habitat for Humanity.
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