George Truman Ritchie

GEORGE TRUMAN RITCHIE

George Truman Ritchie, 85, Centralia, MO passed away Friday, March 20, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born October 26, 1940, in Sturgeon, MO the son of the late Marion and Margaret (Robinson) Ritchie. On August 19, 1962, he was united in marriage to Judith (Gordon) Ritchie.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy (Gordon) Ritchie; a son, Craig (Tracy) of Centralia, Missouri, and Jeff of Orlando, Florida; 5 grandchildren: Matt Ritchie, Jennie Snapp, Kaite Ritchie, Samantha Greene and Shannon Booker; and five great grandchildren, Jaden, August, Adrian, Griffin and Grady; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

George was a successful high school basketball coach, teacher and administrator before joining the family hardware business in 1980. There he worked with his father, two surviving brothers, Robert Ritchie (Myrtle) and David Ritchie (Debbie), and a sister, Louise.

George was an athlete, who enjoyed playing golf and bowling well into his fifties. He was a dedicated St. Louis Cardinal fan and a diehard Missouri football and basketball fan. He easily recounted high school basketball statistics from the 1970s and MU scores from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He loved history and traveled to see many historical sites and especially enjoyed touring Civil War battlefields. George enjoyed playing bridge, and was known as an overly aggressive bidder, always intent on playing the hand. He was a big fan and supporter of Sturgeon athletics and a member of the Sturgeon Christian Church for over 70 years.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Sturgeon Christian Church in Sturgeon, MO. Interment will be in the Mt. Horeb Cemetery in Sturgeon, MO. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until service time on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Sturgeon Christian Church in Sturgeon, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sturgeon Christian Church, c/o Oliver Funeral Home, P.O. Box 125, Centralia, MO 65240. Condolences may also be made to the family at oliverfuneralhome.net