Carl Burch Ritter

Carl Burch Ritter was born October 15, 1930 in La Junta, CO to his parents Carl Porter Ritter and Avis Roberts Ritter who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Kay Ritter Ricken & Janice Ritter Matthew and special friend, Margaret Rush.

He is survived by sister, Cindy Ritter Steele of La Junta; sons, Allen (Rebecca) Ritter of La Junta and Keith (Pamela) Ritter of Peyton, CO; daughter, Leslie Ritter of La Junta; as well as many nieces & nephews and grandchildren & great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death first spouse, Marilyn Mast and by his second spouse, Frances Gragg Ritter.

Burch graduated from La Junta High School with the class of 1949 where he was active in football and basketball. He was president and student director of the high school chorus. He was Master Councilor, Joe Hawkins Chapter of DeMolay in La Junta and District Master Councilor, Southeast Region, holding Degrees of Chevalier and Legion of Honor in DeMolay. After graduating from high school, Burch joined the United States Air Force and took his flight training at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and advanced training at March AFB, Riverside, CA, serving in many locations until his discharge as a Korean War veteran.

Upon his return to La Junta, he joined the Colorado National Guard Unit of 157th Field Artillery. He also was employed at the La Junta Tribune Democrat for nine years, gaining a Master Printer Certificate from the State of Colorado. He then moved on to employment with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, where he worked in several capacities with headquarters in La Junta and Newton, KS. He then transferred to Albuquerque, NM as Maintenance Specialist in the Signal Department and promoted to Signal Supervisor-Signal Administration with assigned territories of West Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Burch retired from the AT&SF Railway in 1993 after 32 years of service.

He and Fran enjoyed their summer cabin at Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County; where a good amount of time was spent fly fishing the lakes and streams of his beloved Colorado mountains.

A memorial service will be Friday, April 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel. Military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Arkansas Valley Hospice in La Junta or to an animal shelter of choice.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.