John Thomas Ritter, 88, was called to heaven on Sunday, January 12, 2025. He was born on September 25, 1936, in a log home in Dolores, Colorado, to Maurice and John Ritter.

At the age of 17, Tom joined the Navy, which allowed him to travel the world. After completing his service, he attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, earning a degree in Geology. During his college summers, he began a long and fulfilling career with the National Park Service, working as a seasonal ranger and firefighter at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. It was there that he met Karen Dania Christensen, who became his loving wife on December 27, 1962.

Tom and Karen's life together was an adventure. They moved to Colorado, where their first daughter, Katrina Krueger, was born. From there, they moved to Nevada, welcoming their second daughter, Sonja Valiulis. In Utah, they had their third daughter, Teresa Benson, and their fourth daughter, Lara Martin, was born in Alaska. Over the years, their journey took them to Minnesota, Virginia (where Tom worked at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.), California, and finally Orcas Island, Washington.Tom and Karen retired on Orcas Island in 1995, where they built a beautiful log home overlooking the Puget Sound. On the island, Tom earned the affectionate nickname "Grandpa Orcas."

A devoted New York Yankees fan, Tom never missed a game. He also had a deep love for Airedale Terriers, owning five over the years, Casey, Captain, Yankee, Ranger, and Reagan. His passion for travel and knowledge of the world inspired him to visit Europe, Hawaii, and Belize, and explore the United States and Canada in their Born Free motorhome. He passed this love of exploration and learning on to his children and grandchildren.

Tom shared the love of our Lord with his family and community. Now that he has passed into the arms of Jesus, we should remind ourselves that while this is the end of his physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for him.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Karen Dania; three daughters, Katrina (Dave), Sonja, and Teresa (Andy); and his two grandchildren, Erik (aka Eevee) and Anthony. He joins his parents, John and Maurice Ritter; his daughter, Lara Martin; his sister, Marilyn Colyer; and his son-in-law, Carl Valiulis, who have already passed into heaven.

*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.

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