June 20, 1938 - January 27, 2025
In the presence of his family, Mark passed away peacefully after a short but courageous battle with bladder cancer. To say the last couple of years were trying would be a gross understatement. A stroke, broken hip, and mom’s open-heart surgery were challenges but, like a Marine, he battled back from all these obstacles with humor, bravery and plain ‘ol toughness. He inspired us all to be better patients and have more patience. Dad has a way of making everyone in the room laugh in a tense situation.
Mark was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on June 20, 1938, to Virginia and Alexander Ritchie. Yes, our dad is a Yankee by birth, but he got to Oklahoma as soon as he could. Mark didn’t just “move” to Oklahoma – he fought his way in. The story goes that he got into a fight every single day of first grade when he first arrived in Garfield County because apparently, his accent didn’t quite fit in. Soon he won over his classmates with his charm and wit and assembled a group of cohorts in Enid who would become lifelong friends. Dad had a way of disarming the natives and assimilating into the group.
Mark was a member of George E. Failing Legion Baseball team and went several times, we understand, to the Little League World Series. He recalls Mr. Failing giving each of the boys $1 as they exited the bus wherever they were playing, for spending money. These strong and lasting memories are a testament to the power of positive influences in one’s life…a lesson to be your best even when you think no one is watching.
Mark was a faithful citizen of Enid but left for Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma A&M) in 1956 where he became a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and, again, developed a gaggle of friends that would last well beyond his graduation from OSU. In 1960, he earned a degree in Agronomy and a minor in Chemistry, carrying 21 hours his last semester. He gained a reputation for having fun and gained a few scars from a brawl in the kitchen at the fraternity. If you can’t cook without turning the kitchen into a war zone, are you even really living?
Before Mark went to college, he spent many summers on a harvest crew that cut wheat from Texas to Canada. His second cousin, Earl Jay Estill was the boss…but of course Mark thought he was the boss. The crew that he worked with and the friends that he made along the way were many and colorful. Until the end, he could recall the names, number of acres and location of many of the farmers for which they cut wheat and perhaps some of the shenanigans that took place in that area. There was never a shortage of stories when Dad and John R. Vice were together.
So, about John R. Vice….statesman, gentleman, scholar and clown. John left Oklahoma State University early in his academic career and ended up at Northwestern Oklahoma State University where he met Gayle Wells. John introduced Mark and Gayle on Friday, October 13, 1960. It was a blind date that went off the rails that night but ended up working out pretty well…. Mom and Dad’s 63rd wedding anniversary is February 10.
In 1960, Dad joined the United States Marine Corp, later transitioning to the Marine Corp Reserves. He earned the rank of Lance Corporal, was a platoon honorman and was honorably discharged in 1966. This chapter in Mark’s life probably prepared him to handle tough situations later.
Just like many of our Okie neighbors, the Ritchie family is in Carrier because our ancestors established residence during the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893. As generations before him, Mark was forever dedicated to the Carrier Community, Carrier Congregational Church, Carrier Mill & Elevator and other neighborly organizations. He served on the board of Carrier Mill & Elevator from 1971 until 2016 (for the mathematically challenged, that’s 45 years) and served as president for 40 of those years. He was a proud member of the Carrier Young Farmers and hosted many a wild calf fry on their behalf. He was a little league coach, favorite partner at daughter/dad dinner at Chisholm High School, Santa Claus at the Church Christmas Party, Pie-Eating Champion at the Carrier 4th of July picnic, devoted to Carrier Girl’s Basketball 1972 State Championship team and was always a presence at our sporting and school events, of which there were MANY. Living here has always meant something to mom and dad and means everything to our family now.
Dad was a lifelong lover of hunting, dogs and guns. He fell into the pawn broker business and owned and operated Gunrunner’s Pawn for many years and became a self-proclaimed ballistics expert and an actual gunsmithing expert. He spent many hours on the road traveling to hunt elk, deer, pheasant, dove and quail and had an award-winning hunting dog, Petie. He loved spending time with his son, sons-in-law, grandsons and extended hunting family in the countryside everywhere. Here is another example of Dad making friends….
Dad always wanted to share his love of the farm, farming, Carrier, and his heritage with his grandsons. They spent every summer with Papa and GG in Carrier and there were plenty of muddied faces, sunburns, stitches, stubbed toes, fish stories and trips to the elevator in the wheat truck as evidence of the fun and love all those hot days. If there is something to celebrate in these times of sorrow, it’s the belief that Mark Ritchie will live long in the memories of his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
Mark is preceded in death by his mother, Virgina Estill Ritchie, father Alexander Ritchie, and sister Alexandra Ritchie Gille.
Mark is survived by his favorite wife, Gayle, and their four children: Shawn Ritchie and wife Jody Ritchie, Shannon Ritchie Cowan and husband Scott Cowan, Kristen Ritchie, cleverly single, Jill Ritchie Roecker and husband Kent Roecker. (Mark was very proud of his children’s choice of spouses who are better known as UNbloods) He and Gayle are also blessed with five grandsons and two granddaughters: Guy Roecker and his wife Lauren, Mark Ritchie and his wife Megan, Grayson Roecker, Chase Ritchie, Gus Cowan, Jillian Gaines Mitchell and husband Cliff Mitchell, Jennifer Gaines and five great grandchildren, Wade Roecker, Mary Gayle Ritchie, Nash Mitchell, Rosie Mitchell and Goldie Mitchell.
Celebration of Life Service will be at Carrier Congregational Church on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10:00AM. Cremation arrangements by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Carrier Congregational Church, P.O. Box 73, Carrier, OK 73727, or through Anderson-Burris Funeral Home.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
