Donald Ryder Witter,

DONALD RYDER WITTER JR, of Englewood and Punta Gorda, FL passed away May 24, 2009. He was born in Hartford, CT on July 23, 1926 and was the son of Donald R. Witter and Helen Collins Witter. Mr. Witter was an Eagle Scout and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1947. He was previously employed with Lanier Dictation Company in Atlanta, GA and the Western Electric Company in Winston-Salem, NC, before joining the Federal Home Loan Bank. In 1955, when he joined Punta Gorda Federal Savings & Loan, its assets were $780, 000 and when the association was purchased in 1995 by the First of America Bank of Kalamazoo, MI, its assets exceeded 430 million dollars. During his 40 years at First Federal Savings Bank of Charlotte County, Mr. Witter was elected, appointed or actively engaged in: Elected Chairman of Home Study Division of the United League of Savings Associations in 1958; Nominated for appointment to Charlotte County Industrial Committee in 1961; Honored by the Boy Scouts of America for work performed in 1965; Chairman Punta Gorda Advisory Council Steering & Finance Committee in 1967; Named "Boss of the Year" by Junior Chamber of Commerce, appointed to committee of Supervision & Audit by the US League of Savings Institutions in 1972; Appointed by the Punta Gorda City Council to City Board of Adjustments, Elected President of Inaugural school for Executive Development at US League's school in 1975; Elected Director of United Telephone Co. of FL; selected as the Pacesetter Award by the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.

During his lifetime he also served as Layman & Senior Warden of the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal, Administrative Chairman of the First United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda, President of the Charlotte County Junior Chamber of Commerce Jaycees, Presidents of Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Little League, Pop Warner Football & Friends of the Auditorium Fota & Toastmasters.

He also served as an Instructor at Edison College, usher for over 25 years at the First United Methodist Church, Advisory Director to the Charlotte County Art Guild, Director Fawcett Hospital, Director of the Southeastern Savings & Loan League and & a Director of Florida Informangement Systems. He previously was a Charter member of the Burnt Store Country Club and the St Andrews Country Club. He is a charter member of the Isles Yacht Club.

He is survived by his best friend, Peggy Urban of Port Charlotte and Grant, MI; daughter, Sharon E. John Witter Herlovich of Tampa, FL; sons, Donald R Witter III of Charlotte, NC and Steven G. Cindy Witter of Cape Coral, FL; five grandsons, Donald R. Witter IV and Edwin Graham Witter of Charlotte, NC; Mark David Huyett of Orlando, FL; Bradley Steven Witter and Alex Garfield Witter both of Cape Coral, FL; a niece, Linda Ralph Charles Crawford of Germantown, NC; nephew, Gary A. Marilyn Charles of Marietta, GA; brother-in-law, Everett W. Charles of Winston-Salem; great nephew, Jonathon Charles of Athens, GA; great niece, Stephanie J. Charles of Marietta, GA. Mr. Witter was pre deceased by his parents and his sister, Betty Jean Witter Charles.

A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 507 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda at 11:00 am, Friday June 5, 2009. Inurnment will take place privately at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens in Punta Gorda. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Witter may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238. Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, Punta Gorda chapel, is in charge of arrangements.