Herman Lee Ritchie

Herman Lee Ritchie, age 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, March 25th in Seminole, Oklahoma.  Herman was born on August 12th, 1934 in Hobart, Oklahoma to parents Oscar and Nora (Trammel) Ritchie.

He graduated from Con-8 High School near Hobart and attended Oklahoma Baptist and Oklahoma Christian Universities on Basketball Scholarships. He enlisted and served in the United States Army as a Helicopter Crew Engineer, with an Honorable Discharge in May 1963.

Herman married Bonnie Marie (Senter) in Hobart, Oklahoma on March 5, 1961.  They enjoyed 61 years of marriage.  They raised their family in Oklahoma City before moving to Seminole in March, 1979.  Herman served as Superintendent, OG&E, Seminole, retiring in 1994 after 33 years of service.  Active in the Seminole Community, Herman served twice as President, Seminole Kiwanis.  He and Bonnie were avid supporters of Seminole State College Athletics as Booster Club Members and at First Baptist Church of Seminole as a 5th Grade Sunday School Teacher, Senior Adult Department Director and Deacon for over 32 years.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Nora Ritchie, Brothers, Sherman and Therman Ritchie, and Sisters Mintz Ritchie, Jewell Jackson, and Faye Walker.

He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie Ritchie and nephew, Howard Holland of the Home, Daughters Tina (Matt) Pollock and Lynda (Mike) Bushell. Six Grandchildren Joshua (Cat) Pollock, Stephanie (Patrick) Killian, Jordan (Jenna) Pollock, Zachary Bushell, Levi (Nicole) Bushell, and Amanda (Dustin) Myers.  Thirteen Great-Grandchildren, Karlee and Korbin Pollock, Noah, Ella, and Kayte Mae Killian, Jaylee and Jett Pollock, Gracie Long, Malachi Bogart, Maddison Bushell, Hayden and Coleson Bushell, and Rowan Myers.  He also leaves behind special friends Simone Edwards from Jamica and Alejandra Iglesias from Costa Rica.

Services for Herman will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, March 31st at First Baptist Church, 420 Reid Street, Seminole, Oklahoma with burial at Maple Grove Cemetery.  Reverends Matthew and Joshua Pollock will officiate the service.

Casket bearers will be Grandsons, Joshua and Jordan Pollock, Zachary and Levi Bushell, Patrick Killian and Dustin Myers.

Honorary Casket bears will be the Deacons of First Baptist Church, Seminole.

Viewing will be possible on Wednesday, March 30th at Swearingen Funeral Home.  On Thursday, March 31st, the Casket will be open until the service begins and will not be opened following the service.

The family wishes to thank the kind and caring staff from Humanity Hospice.  Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.