Guindell Belmont Ritchie died peacefully on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 ^th at Lunn's Chapel with Chris Swinford officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.

Guindell was born on November 19, 1933, in Vera, Texas, to the late Kyle and Nina
(Hardin) Ritchie. He graduated from Vera High School, 3 ^rd in his class, in 1951. Guindell enjoyed playing all sports, especially baseball with his brother who pitched while Guindell caught for him. He also loved the Dallas Cowboys, to whom he was a loyal fan from their inception in 1960.

Guindell married the love of his life, Peggy Jo Cure, on December 20, 1953. They would have celebrated their 70 ^th wedding anniversary this year. Guindell and Peggy lived in Vera before he was drafted in February of 1954, where he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army until 1956. When he was discharged from the Army, they moved to Wichita Falls, where Guindell worked for White's Home and Auto, then Ponca Wholesale. Ponca transferred the family to Pampa, Texas, followed by Carlsbad and then Las Cruces, New Mexico. Guindell and his family lived in Las Cruces for 22 years before moving back to Wichita Falls in 1986.

Following his work for Ponca Wholesale for 40 years, Guindell and the family moved back to Wichita Falls. At that time Guindell began working for the WFISD as a special education paraprofessional for 21 years, first at Hirschi High School then Wichita Falls High School (Old High) before retiring in 2018.

Guildell loved to build things with his hands and spent many hours in this workshop creating items he used in his house or gave as gifts including decorative bird houses. He also loved working in his yard, planting flowers, cutting his grass, creating decorative bird baths and making concrete stepping stones each honoring his children and grandchildren. His family was incredibly important to him, and he loved spending time with them. Guindell was happiest when all of his kids and grandkids gathered together either at their cabin at Lake Kemp in the summer or at home in Wichita Falls for Christmas.

Guindell was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, LaMoine Ritchie; his sister, Wanell and her husband, Anson Ray; his brother-in-law (and best friend) Gary "Skip" Cure, nephew, Chris Cure; grandsons, Jewett Allen Ritchie; and Bix Gallenberger.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Peggy (Cure) Ritchie; sons, Gary Ritchie and wife, Debra of Amarillo, TX; Michael Ritchie and wife, Stephanie of Carrollton, TX; daughter, Gwenna and husband, Steven Gallenberger of Wichita Falls, TX; grandchildren, Jerry Ritchie of Rosharon, TX; Whitney and husband, Paul Kauffman of Kansas City, MO; Micah and wife Sarah Ritchie of Amarillo, TX; Ethan and (Gwen) Ritchie of Dallas, TX; Graham and wife, Lexa Ritchie of El Paso, TX; great-grandchildren, Austin and wife, Marissa Vasquez-Ritchie of Fort Worth, TX; Abbi and husband, Jacob Ficklin of Wichita Falls, TX; Konner and Miller Ritchie of El Paso, TX; Lucy Kaufman of Kansas City, MO; great-great-grandchildren, Levi and Zara Ritchie of Fort Worth, TX; and Corbin Ficklin of Wichita Falls, TX; and many other nephews, nieces, and cousins; along with his church family at Faith Village Church of Christ and extended family whom he loved dearly.