James N. Ritts, Jr.

WILKES-BARRE-James “Jim” N. Ritts, Jr., 82, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Sunday, May 20, 2012 at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Twp. Born Sept. 19, 1929, he was a son of the late James Ritts, Sr. and stepmother Rose Leshinski, who helped raise him. He attended G.A.R. High School and also served in the United States Navy, where he received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal and Good Conduct Medal. James worked for Greyhound Lines of Philadelphia for 20 years and then went on to retire from the Turnpike Commission. James loved spending time with his loving wife of 57 years, Ruth M. (Gasper) Ritts and spending time with his grandson Jimbo, whom he was more like a father to. He also liked anything related to baseball and watching wrestling, game shows, and Fox News. In addition to his father and stepmother, he was preceded in death by a son, Raymond Ritts; grandchild, baby Ritts; brother, John Ritts; and sisters, Lillian Peterman and Eleanor Curley. Left to honor his memory is wife, Ruth M. (Gasper) Ritts; daughters, Brenda L. Ritts and Eileen Pramick; sons, James N. Ritts, III and wife Linda, and Kenneth Ritts and wife Carol; 9 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; sister, Margaret Norman; daughter-in-law Donna Ritts; and his cat Murph. Services for James will be held Tuesday at 4 p.m. from Kniffen O’Malley Funeral Home, Inc., 465 S. Main St, Wilkes-Barre. Family and friends may visit from 2 – 4 p.m. .