Earl Morton Ritts – Whitman County Gazette
Earl “Bud” Morton Ritts lived a full life and passed away peacefully at home on June 27, 2021 at the age of 83. He would have loved to have had a few more years, but neither of us wanted him to suffer any longer.
He was born to Earl and Edna Ritts in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Bud attended the Saltsburg Joint School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force and trained as a B52 mechanic, where he served for four years
1956-1960. He was honorably discharged in
June 21, 1960. His active service took him to Fairchild, where he met Cheryl, the woman who became his significant other, at an Airman Ball in Airway Heights in Spokane, Washington. Bud and Cheryl married and began life together. They were married for 59 years before he lost his beautiful wife to a stroke six weeks earlier
his passing.
Bud and Cheryl grew up with loving families and wanted their own. Before Bud met Cheryl, he had a daughter from a previous marriage, Tammy Loehlein, of Spokane, Washington. They had five children together: Julie Joy, Vancouver, Washington, Douglas Ritts, Cheney, Washington, Mark Ritts, Endicott, Washington. , Kelly Ritts Knott, Endicott, Washington, and Kimberly Hays-Bennett, Vancouver, Washington.
Bud was a general contractor-carpenter in California, where they started their family, and eventually found their heaven in Palouse Land, where they lived for 55 years. He also worked as a truck driver for Baker Truck Lines and Waste Management.
Bud was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He loved hunting and fishing with his two sons. He cherished the time with his family and enjoyed his yard, garden and the 100 pine trees that he had planted. Bud was a cowboy at heart and loved looking after his horses. He enjoyed reading his Western Horseman while sipping his cup of coffee. He loved collecting antiques. Bud loved his Chevrolet pick-up truck. The Heartbeat of America was the only pickup truck he would drive. Bud and Cheryl made many leisurely trips with their pickup truck. They played scrabble games that often lasted into the wee hours of the morning. He was born for country life. Bud always thought he was the happiest man in the world, and so did his children. His life was his love for Cheryl and the life they built together. Now he’s back home with Cheryl.
Bud is missed very much by his family, who gave him quality of life and so much joy. These include: four daughters, Tammy (Kurt) Loehlein, Julie (Steve) Joy, Kelly Ritts Knott, and Kimberly (Mike) Bennett; two sons, Douglas Ritts (Heather) and Mark Ritts; seven grandchildren, Aric Loehlein, Victoria Ensz, Jacob Loehlein, Justin Joy, Jenna Joy, Ashley Olson and Zachary Hays; and five great-grandchildren, Finley Ensz, Forest Ensz, Oliver Olson, Rosie Mae Olson, and Riley Olson.
Attached is a love letter from Bud to Cheryl that his family found after his death …
Love love,
I love you! It has been many years since we shared our love, ups and downs, and faith with one another. And every year it grows together into a golden rainbow.
Your smile, kindness, love, gentleness, faith, motherhood and the perfect wife are the reason I love and appreciate you.
I thank God for the wisdom he has given me to open my eyes to understand the beauty of the angel that you are!
I love you Cheryl Anne Breeden Ritts !!!
You are my backbone in life. God bless you!
~ Pittsburg Bud
xxxooo
A private funeral service was held in St. John Cemetery in St. John, Washington. The funeral parlor Bruning was commissioned to handle the transaction.