Pink P. Ritter, Jr.

Funeral Services for Mr. Pink Ritter, Jr., 83 of Carthage, Texas will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rick Linebarger officiating. Burial will follow in the Gary Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Family visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2011 at the funeral home. Mr. Ritter died June 16, 2011 peacefully at his home in Carthage, Texas. Mr. Pink Paul Ritter, Jr. was born April 5, 1928 in Gilliam, Louisiana. He was one of seven children born to the marriage of Pink Paul and Maud Childress Ritter, Sr. Pink was raised and attended schools in Gary, later serving his country through the U. S. Air Force as a Sergeant in the Korean Conflict from 1946-1949. He obtained his Bachelor of Science graduating to become a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 1953. Pink married the love of his life Peggy Blair on October 8, 1955 and together they celebrated 55 years of marriage. Mr. Ritter retired from the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service after 33 years. He was a deacon and member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Lions Club and the Panola County A & M Club. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Billie Marvin and Rudolph R. Ritter, sisters, Bessie Mae Rochelle and Marguerite Hudson. He is survived by loving wife, Peggy Ritter of Carthage, sons, Ronald R. Ritter and wife Paula of Hearne, Paul Dwain Ritter and wife Carol of Carthage, daughter, Cheryl Elaine Zieschang and husband Ted of Lufkin, brother, Kenneth Eugene Ritter and wife Dorothy of Spring, sister, Ida Barrett and husband Wayne of Carthage, grandchildren, Matthew Ritter and wife Ashley, Brian Ritter, Jessica Ritter, Kyle Ritter and wife Nicola, Julie Reynolds and husband Levy, Aaron Zieschang and wife Cindy, Mark Zieschang, Jamie Zieschang, Dusty Burleson and wife Staci, Katy Burleson Coles, Heather Caldwell Southern and husband, Jim, Courtney Caldwell Schutz and husband, Ryan and seven great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Matthew Ritter, Brian Ritter, Kyle Ritter, Aaron Zieschang, Mark Zieschang, Dusty Burleson and Levy Reynolds. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. The family requests donations to the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 1765 Hwy 59 S., Carthage, TX 75633, Gary Cemetery, P. O. Box 334, Gary, TX 75643, Heartsway Hospice, 437 Panola, Carthage, TX 75633 or the Parkinson’s Disease Resource LSUHS Foundation, 1501 King’s Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71103.

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Pink P. Ritter, Jr.

April 5, 1928 - June 16, 2011