James Simpson "Jimmy" Ritchie Jr.

James Simpson Ritchie, Jr., affectionately referred to as Jimmy, Bimmy, Brother, Jim, Ritchie, Uncle, Daddy, Paw Paw, Rambo, J Dog, and Race Car Ritchie, died on Friday, August 1, 2025, at the age of 85. Jimmy loved his hometown of St. Francisville, Louisiana, and could always be relied upon for an accurate oral history of the area and a keen ability for remembering birthdays of many of his friends.

Jimmy attended school in St. Francisville and later joined the United States Marine Corps where he was stationed in California from 1956 to 1959. Upon return to St. Francisville, he began a long career as a paper machine tender and supervisor for the paper mill known at that time as Crown Zellerbach. He and his lifelong best friend, Wayne Harvey, also did other work together as needed for additional income. After retiring from the paper mill, he enjoyed a rewarding career with the West Feliciana Sheriff's Office assisting with elderly services and serving as a court bailiff.

He was a longtime deer hunter spending time at the West Feliciana Hunting Club in Cat Island with friends and family in an orange school bus lifted high in the air because of periodic Mississippi River flooding.

Jimmy's greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was delighted when he was blessed with grandchildren Alicia Goulette Brumfield and husband Josh, Stephen Goulette and wife Andi, Maggie Ritchie, and Buck Ritchie and later with great grandchildren Amelia, Scarlett, Jude, and Jack Brumfield; Karli and Kolbi Goulette; and Kennedi and Jace Fletcher.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Rhonda Ritchie Repetowski, and husband Mike, of St. Francisville and Vesuvi Timeaux of Chicago, IL; brothers Butch Ritchie, and wife Faye, and Randy Ritchie, and wife Linda, of St. Francisville; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James "Jim" Ritchie Sr. and wife Shirley; son Sean David Ritchie; sisters Nadine Tanner, and husband Steve, and Irene Gresham, and husband Boo; and nephew Thomas Gresham. Pallbearers will be his nephews Bobby Tanner, Jerry Tanner, Patrick Tanner, Joe D. Gresham, and John Ritchie; and son-in-law Mike Repetowski.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the Feliciana Methodist Church, 4740 Prosperity Street, St. Francisville, from 9:00 a.m. until funeral services conducted by the Rev. Dr. Randy Russ at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Feliciana Cemetery in St. Francisville.