James Ritchie, Sr

James Roy Ritchie, Sr., 88, of Concord, passed away on Friday, August 24, 2012, at The Oaks at Town Center in Harrisburg. The family will receive friends at Parkwood Baptist Church, 1069 Central Drive, Concord, NC 28027, on Monday, August 27, 2012, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. The funeral service, officiated by the Rev. Michael Waters and the Rev. Darrell Coble, will follow in the church at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis. Military rites will be conducted by Cabarrus County Veterans Honor Guard. At other times the family will meet at the home of his daughter, Jackie Miller, 1265 Pless Street in Concord. James was born on November 12, 1923, to the late Samuel Archie Ritchie and the late Mary Lucille Castor Ritchie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Chase Ritchie; two sisters, Edna Burris and Ruth Lambert; and a brother, Don Ritchie. He was a member of Parkwood Baptist Church since 1981, serving as class treasurer for most of that time. James was a truck driver, receiving many safe driving medals. He retired from Concrete Supply. He was compassionate and loved his family. He enjoyed helping others and visiting them in nursing homes and hospitals. He went to Hardees on Church Street each day to eat and see his friends. He earned the following medals while honorably serving his country in the US Army: Good Conduct; ETO with three bronze stars and Combat Medical Badge. He served during WWII in the Battle of the Bulge. One of the highlights of his life was going to Washington for Veterans Flight of Honor in May of 2011. He is survived by a son James R. Ritchie, Jr. of Murrells Inlet; a daughter, Jackie Miller of Concord; four grandchildren, Kim Bost, Brandy Sechrest and Melissa Ritchie all of Concord and Jamie Ritchie of WV; five great-grandchildren, Malakye Sechrest, Isabelle Sechrest, Brittany Bost, Zachary Turner, and Elleah Benfield; one great-great-grandchild, Adalyn Olson, all of Concord; a sister, Doris Cobert of Concord; a brother, Howard Ritchie of Concord; his long time friend of 25 years, Shirley Whitley of Concord; and his loyal dog, Gracie. The family would like to extend special thanks for the loving care he received from the staff of The Oaks at Town Center in Harrisburg. Memorials may be made to Parkwood Baptist Church at the address above. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Ritchie family.