Obituary of G.Don Ritter

G. Don Ritter a/k/a George D. Ritter George Donivan "Don" Ritter was born January 19, 1932 in Lakeland, Florida, the son of Wesley and Veola Ritter. He graduated from Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Florida in 1949. Don died at his residence in Ocala, Florida November 19, 2010. Following graduation he moved to Dallas, Texas to play Gospel piano for the Stamps Baxter Quartet, and later joined the US Army where he was assigned the post of Court Reporter during the Korean War. Upon discharge from the Army, Don attended North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelors Degree in music. He played Gospel piano throughout the United States since the age of 9. His music degree led him to Indianapolis, Indiana where he became pianist for the Swanee River Boys, the Monitors Quartet, and the Songsmen Quartet for more than 35 years in Ocala. He was also employed in the real estate department of the Pennsylvania Railroad. This work in real estate and his position as court reporter in the Army gave him cause to consider law as a career. Don has been an avid collector of antiques, especially musical instruments, and has enjoyed restoring older homes. In 1958, while still in Indianapolis, he married Shirley A. Morehouse and subsequently made the decision to become a lawyer. Don graduated from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida in June of 1962, whereupon he was admitted to the Florida Bar, Florida State Courts, Federal Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. He has practiced law in Ocala, Florida since 1962. Currently he was a member of the Florida Bar Association, Marion County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He was attorney for the City of Belleview from 1967 through 1970, and for several years had offices in both Ocala and Belleview, Florida. He was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity. Don was a board member and legal counsel for the Mid-Florida Division of The Children's Home Society from 1971 through 2000. He helped organize, and was a charter member of the Boy's Club of America, now known as the Boy's and Girl's Club of America. He was a lifetime member and past Lt. Governor of Optimist Club as well as a past member of the Ocala Jaycees. Having had a passion for children and their needs, he volunteered with Church Without Walls to work with youth at risk. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Shirley of Ocala, Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Brad Huennekens of Savannah, Georgia; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Maria Ritter of Ocala, Florida; grandchildren, Emma, Mitchell, and Blake of Savannah, Georgia, Colby, and Andrew of Ocala, Florida; brother, Jesse Ritter of Lakeland, Florida, sister, Mary Hamilton of Lakeland, Florida; sister, Gloria Fussell of Bartow, Florida, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Monday, November 22nd 6PM - 8PM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Florida. Funeral service Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 1PM at Christ The King Anglican Church, Ocala, Florida. Interment at Highland Memorial Park, Ocala. Florida. Sentiments may be left online at www.hiers-baxley.com. Arrangements entrusted with HIERS-BAXLEY FUNERAL SERVICES 352-629-7171. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to Church Without Walls, Inc., 13 NE 36th Av., Ocala, FL 34470.