George Ritchie, Jr

Mr. George Patterson “Patt” Ritchie, Jr. passed away on the morning of Wednesday, January 23 at his retirement home. A Memorial service will was held at Central United Methodist Church, 30 Union Street North, Concord, NC 28025 on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 1:00 pm. A private burial was held for the family. He was the son of the late Agnes Efird Ritchie and Mr. George Patterson Ritchie, Sr. Patt grew up with a long line of old Ritchie family in Concord, where he finished high school in 11th grade and went off to VMI, and was later a graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He briefly served his country as a Lt. Commander out of California and on ship during the Korea Conflict. Patt Ritchie, Jr. joined Douglas Aircraft as an engineer in Charlotte, NC, he then took a position with The Boeing Company as an Aero Space Engineer in Huntsville, Alabama and later Seattle, Washington. In 1976 and 77 he moved his family back to the roots of Concord assisting his younger brother, Charles Morton Ritchie, in taking over their father’s 6 NAPA stores, originally under the umbrella of “Ritchie Hardware, Inc.” which his grandfather had helped establish. Mr. Ritchie was a Life Time member of “The Salvation Army” and on the Board of Directors for years, where he spent tireless hours even in declining health, reaching out to help others. He preferred all of his charities to be anonymous. Although he grew up as a member of First Presbyterian Church of Concord with his parents and brother, upon marrying his wife Nancy Godley Whitener, of Savannah, GA, he joined her at the Methodist Church. Patt Ritchie, Jr. is survived by his three children, Nancy “Nan” Efird Ritchie, Lillian Ritchie Shirley, and George “Pat” Patterson Ritchie, III. He leaves behind five grandchildren, Amanda Shirley Chavis and husband Jerimy, Hoke Shirley, Laura “ Caitlin” Ritchie, Mary-Wren Ritchie, Diana Godley Ritchie, and one great granddaughter, Anabelle Leigh Chavis, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended relatives. For years, Mr. and Mrs. G. Patt Ritchie maintained a part time residence in Wrightsville Beach, NC. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, all memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church 30 Union Street Concord, NC 28025 or to the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org.