Dr. Kenneth Mark Ritter took his last earthly breath on February 3, 2021, at the age of 76 in McKinney, Texas, with his loving wife by his side. He fought a valiant fight, but, sadly, passed away due to Covid-19. Ken was born in Santa Barbara, California on May 18, 1944. When Ken was one year old, his family moved to Santa Cruz, California where he resided until he graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1962. During that time, Ken learned to love the ocean, the beach, and spent countless years fishing off the pier near his home.
He enlisted into the US Navy and left for basic training on August 28, 1962 and served three tours in Vietnam, as an Aviation Structural Mechanic for the Attack Squadron 212 aboard the USS Hancock. Upon returning from serving his country, Ken met and married his first wife, Jacqueline Renee Todd, on April 15, 1967. They were later sealed in the LDS St. George Temple on December 17th, 1971. Three children blessed that marriage, Rebekah Eliason, Sarah Swindel and Joshua Ritter.
He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many capacities. Ken served as a seminary teacher, as well as the Gospel Doctrine teacher for over 15 years. He was a counselor in the Bishopric and enjoyed serving in the Single Adult Ward. Ken loved to serve weekly as a Temple Ordinance Worker at the Fresno Temple. He believed the greatest gift in life was his relationship with his Heavenly Father.
Ken graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1981 and earned his Chiropractic degree. He opened Ritter Family Chiropractic in Fresno, California in 1982 and served many members of the community, as well as many athletes from Fresno State University, for 40 years.
Ken had a love for his country, he enjoyed vacationing with his family, golfing, and watching the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants play. He loved singing with his quartet, where he fostered many relationships. He was known for his sense of humor, quick wit, infectious smile, and kind and compassionate spirit.
In 2015, Ken met the woman he chose to spend the rest of his life with, Donna Marie Helwig. They were married and sealed in the Fresno Temple on June 18, 2016. In the short five years they were together, they filled their time with travel, cruises, family vacations, concerts, children’s plays, entertaining, and their love of Disneyland. Donna’s family filled Ken’s life with much needed, and appreciated, unconditional love and adoration.
Ken is survived by his three children and his three loving stepchildren, Ricci (Ryan) Quill, Nicholas (Kendra) Lehr, and Victoria (Joel) Dimas. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, Megan and Brandon Eliason, Jordan, Taylor and Mason Swindel, Zachary, Logan and Leah Ritter, Garrett and Aleksia Quill, Johnathan and Genevieve Lehr, and Abigail and Benjamin Dimas. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Jacqueline Ritter, his mother and father, Fred and Justine (Fleming) Ritter, his brother Lawrence Ritter, and his two infant children Matthew and Rachel Ritter.
Ken will honorably be buried at the DFW National Cemetery on February 22, 2021 at 11:30AM (CST). A memorial service in his honor will be held later in California. In lieu of flowers contributions to Wounded Warrior Project would be appreciated, in memory of Dr. Kenneth Mark Ritter.