Lewis "Lou" James Ritter

A memorial service for "Lou" will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday December 8, 2018 at Bratcher Funeral Home in Denison, Texas.

Lewis James Francis Ritter was born April 5, 1952 to Francis and Mae (Boddicker) Ritter in Parkston, South Dakota. The family moved to Scotland, South Dakota where Lewis graduated high school in 1970. He attended the University of South Dakota at Springfield where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education. He was married in 1973 and was blessed with three wonderful children: Amy, Lee, and Lucas. In 2001, Lewis found love with Weldon Vines and they were later married in Riverside, California.

Lewis’s career in music education spanned 43 years and took him to schools in Willow Lake and Alcester, South Dakota, George, Iowa, Farmington, New Mexico and finally to Sherman, Texas. He loved to instill the magic of music to all people he encountered. Lewis used music to broaden children’s horizons by introducing them to music from around the world.

Lewis was best known for his witty dry humor, love of cooking, and opening his home to friends and colleagues for delicious meals. He was always experimenting with new recipes and sharing food with friends. Lewis enriched everyone he met; and, all who met him went away feeling better.

He is survived by his three children Amy (Jeff) Phillipy of Columbia, South Carolina, Lee Ritter of San Antonio, Texas, Lucas (Justina) Ritter of Fairbanks, Alaska, and two grandchildren Sophia and Jaxon Phillipy, brother Gerald (Joan) Ritter of Scotland, South Dakota and sister Nancy (Dean) Onken of Wood Lake, Minnesota, along with nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, one nephew, and partner.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sherman Education Foundation, Care of Dillingham Intermediate School, 1701 E. Gallagher, Sherman, Texas 79501. Donations will go into the Lewis Ritter Fund to benefit students in the music program in the middle school where he taught for the last 19 years.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bratcherfuneralhome.com for the Ritter family.