Gary Michael Ritchie

Mr. Gary Michael Ritchie, 70, of Concord passed away Wednesday March 2, 2022 at Atrium-Cabarrus. Funeral services will be held 3pm, Saturday March 5 at St. John’s Lutheran Church officiated by Rev. Dr. Keith Copeland. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The Ritchie family will receive friends from 5-7pm Friday March 4 at Gordon Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant. Gary was born in Cabarrus County, January 27, 1952 to the late Foy Otto and Betty Faggart Ritchie. He was a 1970 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. He retired from Norfolk-Southern Railway where he worked as a machinist. He was an active lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was a faithful and involved member serving in many capacitates including, president of men’s group, property committee, Sunday school superintendent, member of church council, and current president of St. John’s Grange. He was also an involved member of his community serving as a volunteer fireman for Mt. Pleasant and a member of the Cabarrus County Cattleman’s Association. Mr. Ritchie is survived by his wife Sharon Blackwelder Ritchie; daughter Emily Hartsell and husband John; sons Benjamin Scott Small and wife Jennifer, and Mark Allen Small; granddaughters Ryleigh and Raegan Hartsell; grandson Augustus “Gus” Small; brother Darrell Ritchie; sister Nancy Blair and husband Sonny; nieces Alyson Almond and Ashley Barnhardt; nephews Sean and AJ Blair. Sister in law Dianne Blackwelder Hudson; and many great nieces and nephews. Memorials in Gary’s honor may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 100 St. John’s Church Rd., Concord NC 28025.