Sam Q. Ritchie

Published 4:37 pm Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Sam Q. Ritchie, 91, of Elizabethton, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2017, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. Sam was born in Carter County on September 30, 1926 to the late D.E. Ritchie and Belle Murray Ritchie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by nine siblings.
Sam graduated from Elizabethton High School in 1945 and then attended Steed College. He was a United States Army veteran, having served in World War II. Sam received his pilot’s license at the age of 58 and was the former owner and operator of Sam Q’s Restaurant in Elizabethton. He had also worked with his brother at Ritchie’s Furniture. Sam was a member of First United Methodist Church of Elizabethton, was a former member of the Carter County School Board, a former member of the Carter County Election Commission, a former member of the Jaycees and loved football and flying.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 69 years, Ruth Bryson Ritchie, of the home; his son, Sam Q. Ritchie II, of Elizabethton; and his grandson, Nikolas Ritchie and wife Savannah, of Chicago, Ill. Several nieces and nephews also survive, including two special nieces, Carla Cox and Margo Bentley.
A service to celebrate the life of Sam Q. Ritchie will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, October 27, at First United Methodist Church of Elizabethton with Rev. Raymond Amos Sr. officiating. Music will be under the direction of the First United Methodist Church Choir, Tyler Fleming and David Arney. The family will receive friends at the church from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, prior to the service, or at his residence at other times. The graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 28, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be the men of First United Methodist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Mann, Norman Simerly, Jeff Kyte and Jim Hyder. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 9:15 a.m. Saturday to go in procession. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at CLC Nursing Home at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center for the love and care shown to Sam during his illness. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
The Ritchie family is being assisted by Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.