Kenneth Marvin Ritchie

Kenneth Marvin Ritchie was welcomed by his Savior into Heaven on Dec. 24. Kenneth was born on July 14, 1933 in Gonzales County to Marvin Clyde and Janie Baker Ritchie. He graduated from Nixon High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Corpus Christi in 1954 and a Master of Arts in School Administration from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio in 1963. He served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. He had a remarkable career as a public school teacher and administrator spanning 55 years, serving six school districts in two states at ten different campuses. Through his lifelong dedication to teaching and learning he influenced innumerable lives of students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members.

Kenneth married Amy Beth Sterling of Jackson, MS in 1956 and is survived by his two sons, Mark Ellis Ritchie and his wife Estelle Davis Ritchie and three grandchildren: Connor Ritchie, Noah Ritchie, and Shelby Ritchie, all of Cicero, NY, and Paul Douglas Ritchie of Leesville, TX and three granddaughters: Kimberly Ritchie, Katherine Ritchie, and Crystal Ritchie and great-grandson, Lucas Ritchie, all of San Antonio, TX. Kenneth divorced in 1978 and remarried Annie (Anita) B. Joseph, Feb. 14, 1979, in San Antonio, TX, and remained married until the death of Annie on Aug. 5, 2015. He is survived by his two stepdaughters, Laura Jo Dzienowski-Smith of Austin, TX, and Frances Dzienowski-Meyer and her husband Cecil Meyer of Manor, TX.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and his eldest sister, Nola Jane Cox of Nixon, TX, and his niece Linda Patteson of Nixon, TX. He is survived by his twin sisters Erna Ritchie Pattillo and Erma Ritchie Miles and her husband Jack Miles of Nixon, TX, and by his younger brother W.O. Ritchie and his wife Diane Caraway Ritchie of Nixon, TX, as well as four nephews and a niece, all residing in Gonzales County, TX.

Visitation will be at Finch Funeral Chapel, 308 E. Third St., Nixon, TX from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28. A memorial service will be held at Finch Funeral Chapel on Friday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Bunton Cemetery, 3222 FM 1854, Dale, TX, at 12:30pm. The Rev. Marvin Miles will officiate the services. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. You are invited to leave message of condolence at www.finchfuneralchapels.com.