Gerry Lee Ritter

Gerry Lee Ritter passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, at the Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick, Washington.

Gerry was born on November 8, 1941, in Kittitas County, Washington, to Chet and Lorena Ritter. He grew up in Kittitas and attended Kittitas schools, where he developed a lifelong love of sports and played basketball throughout high school. He graduated with the Class of 1960 and maintained many dear friendships from those years.

After high school, Gerry attended Taft Junior College, where he earned his Associate of Arts degree while continuing to play basketball. He later transferred to Central Washington University, where he received his bachelor's degree in industrial technology and continued playing on the university's basketball team.

In 1966, Gerry was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and served 14 months in Vietnam. After returning home from his service, he married Kathleen Oswald. The couple began their life together in Ellensburg, Washington, where they started their family. In 1977, they moved to Kennewick, Washington, where they raised their three daughters. Gerry and Kathy shared 58 wonderful years of marriage together.

Gerry worked for many years at Drywall Interiors as an estimator and project superintendent. He took great pride in the many local projects he helped manage and complete throughout the Tri-Cities area.

Outside of work, Gerry was deeply involved in the Tri-Cities sports community. He officiated countless games as a referee or umpire for basketball, football, baseball, and both fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball. Sports were one of his lifelong passions, and he enjoyed giving back to the community through officiating.

Although Gerry loved sports, nothing meant more to him than his family, especially his grandchildren. He spent countless hours with his children and grandchildren teaching them to ride bikes, pushing them on the tire swing, building projects together in the shop, or simply heading out for ice cream. Those moments together created memories that will be cherished forever.

Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, Chet and Lorena Ritter; his sister, Mary Lou Gilmore; his brother, Bill Ritter; and his granddaughter, Talya Howard.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Ritter; daughters June Lamberd (Shawn), Terri Stockberger (Brook), and Christy Howard (Kevin); grandchildren Roxana Brown (Dee), Skyler Lamberd, Katie Deford (Daryl), Sydney Howard, Isabelle Howard, Tyler Stockberger, Jesse Windhorst (Devin), and Grant Stockberger; and one great-granddaughter, Reanna Brown.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the compassionate staff at Tender Mercies Adult Family Home and the Chaplaincy Hospice House for the wonderful care they provided Gerry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tri-City Chaplaincy Hospice.

A celebration of Gerry's life will be held at Kennewick First United Methodist church on May 15, 2026, 11:30 AM. Lunch reception following.