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H. W. "Dub" Ritter, 66, of Waco passed from this life on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. Funeral services will be 1PM Thursday, October 24th At Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel with Rudy Martinez officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8PM Wednesday, October 23rd at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
Dub was born on February 6, 1947 in Jacksonville, to Herman H. and Martha Cumi (Cook) Ritter. He graduated from Marlin High School in 1965. He played on the State Finalist football team in 1964 and was selected "All State" Center. He attended Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and Sam Houston State University in Texas.
Early in his criminal justice career, Dub served as a Falls County Sheriff’s Deputy under the late Brady Pamplin. He retired from TDCJ in 1995 as Major. He then entered Private Corrections as Assistant Warden with CCA in Overton. While in Overton he served as an Overton City Councilman, President of Overton-New London Chamber of Commerce, Board of Director and member of the Overton Rotary Club and attended the First Baptist Church. Dub was organizer of the B. M. Moore "Helping Hands Group", dedicated to helping employees and students of the Overton area. Even though he was in East Texas that he loved, his heart was always in his hometown of Marlin, where he loved the Bulldogs. He was also an avid Baylor fan. He finished his career working also in the private sector in Gatesville and Marlin, respectively.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by the love of his life, best friend, and wife, Karen; daughter, Heather Ritter and Jason Starman of Waco; son, Chad Ritter and wife Shea of Hurst; daughter, Robin Ritter of Waco; granddaughters, Evelyn, Elliot, and Frances; brother, Wayne Cruseturner and wife Betty of San Fernando Valley, CA; sister, Ann Shehorn and husband W.H. of Waco; and numerous other family members and friends.
Honorary pallbearers recognized will be Butch Kelly, Philip Weathers, Craig Scott, Richard Byrd, Ken Hughes (deceased), and Joe Tom Black (deceased).
Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or CLEAT, Correctional Law Enforcement Association of Texas.
Dub took great pride in his family. His great loves in his life were his family, his God and his work.
Print Obituary & Condolences
It was my pleasure to have met Dub–he was a kind host, an interested listener, truly a "gentle" man with the strength of character which only comes from a deep and abiding trust in God. I did not know him well, but I know he will be missed.
May your loss be filled with all your loving memories of HW. He was so proud of his family. Our Class (65) has lost a treasured friend. One of his great gifts was the ability to treat all he met as a friend. Peace and love to you.
HW was always relaxed, fun and comfortable with everyone when I knew him in high school. He was a good guy. My condolences to his family members.
Dub was a very dear friend of ours and we will truly miss him! There was only one Dub Ritter! He was an original and a great man who we both highly respected.
Karen and family, we are so sorry for your loss and mourn with you. May God Bless You and be with each of you during this time. Gone but not forgotten!
Love, Craig & Debbie Scott
I went to high school with Dub and have seen him off and on over the years. He was a friend that you never forget. He is gone too soon and will be missed by all that knew him. May his love and memories keep you strong. Pat Erskine
I’ve know Mr Ritter for several years he was very respected and loved by all. It was an honor to work with you and to know you, you are truly a great man. God Bless you and my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Dub and I were the only Cook cousins who were the same age. Luckily I was a tomboy, whom Dub taught to throw a football and not to cry when I got tackled. But, he taught much more than sports. He showed everyone around him just what love is for family and friends.
Dub was a great example to high school classmates. He alway gave his all in football and other school activities. I am honored to call Dub a classmate and friend in this life.
My heart and my prayers go out to his family. Dub was a great man who will never be forgotten.
It was a true honor to know and work with Mr. Ritter at the Gatesville unit. He always had a way to make you smile. He will be missed by all. So sorry for your loss, many prayers go out to his beloved family.
I’m sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Dub will be missed. I know we develop relationships through the years and we go our separate ways. But we never forget. Dub was more than an employee, he was a friend and I depended on him a lot. Thanks for the memories. God bless.
Karen, Heather, Chad and Robin, our hearts go out to you during this sorrowful and difficult time. Time and distance has separated us, but please know that our friendship has never ceased. I am so glad we got to see Dubby at the Old Timer’s Reunion a couple of years ago! We will always consider you guys close friends and have very happy memories of our kids growing up together both in Huntsville and Palestine! Y’all were always SO GOOD to Wes! We love you and hold you dear in our hearts. Our prayers are with you now and forever. Jan and Bruce Strickland
A friend and role model for kids everywhere. His love of Marlin was something that we both shared….Gone way too soon ….we’ll miss you , Dubby….see you on the other side…..
You were a good fried, and i will always remember your honest words
Karen, Heather, Chad, Robin, I’m so sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out to you all. I know Dub was a great husband, father, grandfather, and friend. I know that he was a great man and mentor. I will always remember all the great advice that I was given by him, and all the talks about life we had sitting on the back porch while he was smoking his pipe. I know that he will be truly missed by everyone, with my sincere condolences, Jonathan Fulgham
Karen & children: H.W. was always the "center" of enthusiam and never give up. We always counted on a big hold up the middle. Men of his character are always missed, but leave a legacy of love. Our prayers are with you.
Karen, Heather, Chad and Robin,
We where deeply saddened to learn of H.W.’s passing. You have lost a wonderful husband and father. We have lost a dear and good friend. Even though time and distance have separated us, please know that we consider ourselves blessed to have known you all over the years.
With deepest sympathy and love,
Les & Jane Woods
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of sorrow. Heaven gained a great angel this week. He will be missed and yet remembered by many. God bless you and keep you in this trying time. Love you all.
Sorry for your lost. I knew Major Ritter for a short period of time when he worked at the Marlin Detention Center. I enjoyed working with for him and he had a wonderful spirit. My prayers go out to the entire family.
May his family have peace and joy knowing how much he will be missed.
Our prayers are with Karen & the family. Dub was a great person with a heart if gold. We have fond memories of our time together in Palestine.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this hard time. Mr.Ritter was a very funny guy that everybody liked. I am happy that I got to work with him and know him.
So long old friend. You will be missed by many….
I am so sorry for your loss I meet Dub when I worked at Gatesville unit. He was my mentor and a great friend I would spend hours talking to him when we both worked the pickets. I remember when he told me he was building his home and also talked to me about how much he loved his wife and children. I will always remember him and once again I am so sorry for your loss.
I so enjoyed my "catch up" time with Dub on FB. He will forever be remembered fondly. Prayers to you and your precious family.
Karen and family,
We are grateful for the opportunity to have been acquainted with Dub, and we pray God’s comforting hand on you today and in the days ahead.
I was deeply saddened to learn of HW’s untimely passing. I always held HW in great admiration for his devotion to his family and his work. He had a very strong sense of right and wrong that he always leaned on his entire career.
my heart goes out to his family and friends