James R. "Bummie" Ritchie

A native and resident of Baton Rouge, he died at 7:29 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice, surrounded by the ones who loved him most. He was 74 and retired from BASF. Visiting at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, on Sunday, Aug. 8, from 1 p.m. until a recitation of the rosary at 5 p.m. Visiting at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on Monday, Aug. 9, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Vic Messina. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. His favorite saying was "Give me four!" Survived by his wife, Dorlis Herron Ritchie; two daughters, Lola Sommers, and Roslyn Esch and husband Paul; three sons, Scott Ritchie and wife Laura, Russell Ritchie and wife Karen, and Roger Ritchie; three sisters, Mary Pearl Sparkman, Anna Lou Ritchie and Francis Risinger; four brothers, Anthony Ritchie, Alfred Ritchie, Ernest Ritchie and George Ritchie; stepchildren, Joseph and Karen Herron, Keith and Dayna Herron, and Bonnie and Emile Wesley; lifetime friends, Ben and Diane Gibbons, and Raymond and Gwen Jarreau; 11 grandchildren, 10 stepgrandchildren, 14 stepgreat-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lolah Ritchie; sister, Theresa Comeaux; and brother, John Earl Ritchie. Pallbearers will be his sons and grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Joseph Hospice, The Carpenter House, 10615 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please sign the online guestbook at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.