Kirk Lee Ritter

As a child, Kirk joined boy scouts at 11 years old. He loved scouting, and later, his brother Kyle followed the same path. After 10 years Kirk earned his Eagle Scouts and became a Shaman of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

When Kirk was old enough to drive, he bought his first car, a Jeep. However, the Jeep was a stick shift, which Kirk did not know how to drive, making it more his dad’s car than his own.

Later in life, Kirk discovered a love for traveling. Hawaii became his favorite destination, and he visited every year. He also worked as an aircraft mechanic for about six years, combining his passion for travel with his career.

In 1990, Kirk visited a bar called Lynn Dickies, where he met a beautiful woman named Theresa. Kirk knew he had to talk to her, and Theresa was immediately charmed by his humor and good looks. After eight years together, Kirk and Theresa were married on June 13, 1998, surrounded by loved ones and beautiful roses. Their first dance was to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.

Kirk was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan, a skilled handyman, and an animal lover. His favorite dog was his Pekingese, So-Paichee, and later he came to love Henry, the turtle he shared with Theresa.

Kirk is preceded in death by his father Kenneth Ritter, father-in-law Buddie Butterfield, mother-in-law Janeane Butterfield, his maternal and paternal grandparents, Uncle Ron, brother-in-law John, and sister-in-law Laura.

He is survived by his mother Donna Ritter, his beloved wife Theresa Ritter, brother Kyle (Stacey) Ritter, sister Dawn (Nathan) Juliana, Aunt Mary Wharton, sisters-in-law; LuAnn Butterfield and Joy Butterfield, nieces; Katie “Grace” Juliana, Sara Juliana, Erin Clark, and Christine Butterfield, nephews; Ethan Juliana, Bryant Thomas, and Thomas Butterfield, and many cousins and friends.