Thomas D. Ritter Jr.

Published 5:06 pm Friday, February 7, 2025

COURTLAND – Our beloved, Thomas Dale Ritter Jr., 45, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Thomas, also known by family and friends as Thomas Dale or T.D., was born Tuesday, June 12, 1979 in Franklin, Virginia and spent his childhood growing up in the small town of Courtland, where he enjoyed climbing trees and riding bikes while he was outside playing in God’s creation.

In 1997, Thomas graduated from Franklin High School and then began his collegiate years at Virginia Tech, earning all A’s. He transferred to Old Dominion University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, in 2002. His love of teaching led him to obtain his Master of Science in Education degree in 2011.

Thomas D. Ritter Jr.

Over the course of his teaching career, he helped many children in Emporia and Virginia Beach, including spending every day the school year of 2020-2021 teaching his niece and nephew Algebra I and Geometry. His love and gentleness for children was never-ending and he generously gave of himself for the betterment of their education. He also spent many hours in his personal time writing children’s books in a fun rhyming style.

His goodness and kindness was evident in how all of his nieces and nephews always gravitated towards him. Every time, he stopped his task at hand and placed them as top priority. The answer from Uncle Thomas was always, “yes” as he obliged them in their wants ranging from reading books, to taking them to the Courtland playground, to playing ball, to listening to music of their choice; only to name a few. As the children grew in age, he enjoyed attending their baseball, soccer and tennis sporting events, musical recitals and graduations. There was never a family celebration he missed.

Thomas enjoyed long walks with his mom and watching Boston Celtics and Philadelphia Eagles with his dad.  He had a close relationship with both of his sisters. In addition to his nieces and nephews, all of the family pets loved being close to him and he dearly loved his four kitties; Roxy, Caitlyn, Snowbell, and Kibbles.

Thomas Dale Ritter Jr. believed that everyone should always treat each other in love as is written in Matthew 22; 36-40. He did. Now he has left his loved ones the blessing of loving memories given by him.

He is dearly missed by his parents, Thomas Dale Ritter and Maxine Trichel Ritter; his sisters and brothers in love, Trichelle and Christopher Moxley, Jeannette and Ben Ricks; his nephews and nieces, Benny Ricks, Elle Moxley, Ashtyn Ricks, Trystyn Moxley, Juliette Moxley and Olivia Grace Moxley; his uncle and aunts, Uncle Dit and Aunt Debbie, Aunt Peggy, Aunt Dot and Aunt Sadie and his many, many cousins.

He is also missed by his friends, including his dear friend, Rachel He.

He is now reunited with his grandparents; Papa Guy and Mama Cil (Joseph Guy and Marcile Trichel, maternal), Pop Pop and Mom Mom (Bill and Margie Ritter, paternal.)

Thomas’s family will be celebrating his life on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. in the Courtland Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Herrington leading the service.

Should anyone like to make a donation in Thomas’s memory, please mail your financial gift to Courtland Methodist Church, c/o Thomas Dale Ritter Jr. Memoriam, 22416 Main Street, Courtland, Virginia 23837.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org