Thomas Wilson Ritchie

Tommy was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, March 31, 1918 to Thomas and Clara Ritchie. In 1938 he moved to McMinnville, Oregon to marry his childhood sweetheart, Louise Dick. It was there that they reared their two sons, Marlyn and Gary. Tom was an electrician and worked for Farnham Electric and Riches Electric for many years. Louise and he moved to Salem, Oregon in 1963. They loved dancing to Dixieland Jazz and made many friends through their active participation in the Willamette Valley Jazz Society and Keizer/Salem Area Seniors. Upon Louise’s passing in 2006 Tom continued his participation with his friends in the Jazz and the Senior Center. In addition to music and dancing he enjoyed woodworking and spending time in his shop fixing things and making gifts for his friends and family. He was a lifelong member of the Salem Elks 336 and Salem FOE 2081.

He is survived by his sons Marlyn of South Bend, Indiana and Gary and wife Elizabeth of Waldport, Oregon. His grandchildren include Brent and Laura Ritchie of Portland, OR; Grant and Katie Ritchie of Portland, OR; Lance and Kori Ritchie of St. Helens, OR; Michelle Ritchie of St. Helens, OR; Sarah and Pat Vihtelic of San Francisco, CA; Amy and Bart Baldwin of Salem, OR; Carole and Jim Normandy of Salem, OR; and Sally and Jeff Curran of Happy Valley, OR. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, including his close friend and dancing partner, Margie Rowe of Salem, OR.

A celebration of his life is planned for Sunday, May 6, at 4 pm at the Salem Elks Club, 2336 Turner Rd. SE, Salem, OR. Arrangements by Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s memory to the Keizer/Salem Area Senior Association, 930 Plymouth Dr. NE, Keizer, OR 97303.