Franklin David Ritchey
Franklin David Ritchey was born December 15, 1940 to Sara (Dobbs) and Robert W. Ritchey. He departed on March 10, 2023. A native son of Ennis, David graduated Ennis High School in 1958. He was deeply patriotic and proudly served his country in the United States Airforce as an airplane mechanic in the 1st Air Material Squadron, with numerous mechanical certifications. David served four years active duty and was sent to North Africa during the start of the Vietnam War to perform repairs and maintenance. He served an additional two years in the reserves. David retired as a printing pressman at Ennis Business Forms where he worked for 40 years. His friends and family remember him as a hardworking, dedicated, loving and patient man.
David married his beloved wife, Helen Louise White on April 30th 1965. The couple shared 49 love filled years together. They had one son, James, and enjoyed two grandchildren – Brant and Drew- and a beautiful great granddaughter, Alani. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, David deeply loved his family and instilled in them his legacy of kindness. David was always willing to help others.
David enjoyed political endeavors; he spent many years as a Union Steward for Ennis Business Forms and served as the treasurer for his union. He often helped candidates campaign. David was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Ennis for over 20 years. He was also a member of AFL-CID. He loved working on his land at the home that he and Helen built for themselves in 1970. David could grow anything. His daughter in law would give him plants she had almost killed, and he would nurse them right back to life. He loved watching all movies, though his favorite actor was Clint Eastwood. He especially enjoyed Star Trek and the TV series Yellowstone. You could always count on watching a western with him. David also had a quick sense of humor. His son remembers a time when he was in the 6th grade, David came in on Thursday. Smiling and in a good mood, David asked if he had any plans for the weekend. A child, James replied that he had no plans, hoping his father would be taking him somewhere for fun. David replied “Good, we have a lot of work to do and I need your help.” A few weeks later, David asked James if he had plans for the weekend. Thinking he may have outsmarted his father, James replied that he had plans to spend the weekend at his friend’s house; David just smiled and said “Good, I’m glad I asked. Now you have time to cancel those plans because we have work to do”. In the end James had fun working with his dad, and they celebrated their labor with a trip to Pizza Hut.
David is preceded in death by his beloved wife Helen Ritchey; parents Sara and Robert Ritchey; sister Mildred Alexander; brother in law Ray Alexander; brother Hubert Ritchey; sister in law Martha Ritchey; brother Robert Ritchey and wife Joyce.
He is survived by his son James Ritchey; daughter in law Anamari Ritchey; grandsons Brant Ritchey and wife Pamela, Drew Ritchey; great granddaughter Alani Ritchey; brother Edward Ritchey and wife Mary; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00PM at the Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home Chapel in Waxahachie, Texas. Services will be held the following day, Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 11:00am also at Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at DFW National Cemetery.
