Harry M. Ritter

1928 - 2025

Harry M. Ritter, age 97, of Mont Belvieu, TX, formerly of Malvern, left this world on 11/19/2025 to go to his Heavenly home which he has been longing for quite awhile now. He was born in New Deroche, Arkansas, on April 28, 1928, to Benjamin Franklin Ritter and Opal Tisdale Ritter. He was a WW2 veteran serving on a destroyer in the Navy, retired from Reynolds Metal Company, and spent his retired years mowing yards and drinking coffee with his buddies at Andy's and McDonalds. The only thing he loved more than the Lord was his family. He didn't know that when he moved to Southaven, Mississippi with his daughter and son-in-law that he would be making even more moves. He lived in Pittsburgh, PA, and then in Mont Belvieu, TX, where he made many, many friends. He was a member of Old River Baptist Church in Old River-Winfree, TX. Other than his parents, he was pre-deceased by his wife of 50 years, Geraldine "Jerri" Ritter; his step-mom, Grace Williams; brothers Murl Ritter and Wayne Ritter; one sister Margie Treadway: daughter Judy Ritter Hunt; and one grandson, Kyle Shelton.
He is survived by his son, Harold "Buddy" Ritter (LaDonna), daughter, Tonja Shelton (Robert), grandsons: Todd Corley, Michael Ritter (Dana), and Jarred Ritter (Melissa); granddaughters: Caitlin Shelton and Marissa Shelton; and 6 great grandchildren: Allison Corley, Brody Ritter, Grey Ritter, Trotter Secrest, Parks Secrest, and Caden Ritter. He is also survived by one brother Tony Ritter (Judy); two sisters Mary McDaniel and Joyce Smith and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on December 6th, 2025, at 11:00 am at Second Baptist Church, Malvern, AR. There will be a small visitation time after the service before going to Prairie Bayou Cemetery for a short graveside ceremony at 2 pm.
Special thanks to Mont Belvieu Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and Heritage Hospice for their excellent care of Harry in his final years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Second Baptist Church, Malvern, AR.