Lt. John Ritenour

Lt. John Edward Ritenour, USN (ret.), 63, of Pensacola, FL passed away Saturday, November 25, 2023.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,

will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

John was a faithful Christian, a loving husband and devoted father, son, and brother. He was born at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL on April 11, 1960. He attended a variety of schools around the country and in the Philippines as he travelled with his family to his father’s various Air Force duty stations. He graduated from Altus High School in Altus, OK in 1978 and from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1982. After graduation, John joined the Navy, serving the country he loved from April 1982 until he was medically retired in June 1994 due to injuries incurred during his service. While on active duty, John received his MBA from Old Dominion University in 1992, earning the Governor’s Award for Excellence in International Market Planning.

Following his military retirement, John relocated to his parents’ hometown of Strasburg, VA and became involved in church and community activities there, including Toastmasters, Jaycees, and serving on the Strasburg Town Council from July 1996 through July 1998. His term was cut short when his sister, Kate, introduced him to Susan in April of 1998; they were engaged a few months later and John moved to Pensacola. John and Susan were married on November 7, 1998, at First Baptist Church of Pensacola and recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. John was an active member of First Baptist Church of Pensacola, serving as a volunteer at the Samaritan Hands ministry and as a Deacon. John also played the trumpet in the church orchestra, which he loved so much. He began playing the trumpet in junior high and he played in Altus High School’s That Altus Band. John loved history and current events, and he never met a stranger.  He just loved people and talking with them. He also loved dogs, including our precious dorkie Cocoa, whom he missed so much as his illness kept him away from home.

John is preceded in death by his father, John Douglas Ritenour.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Susan Daniel Ritenour; his children, Sarah Christine Ritenour and James Clayton Cranmer (Araceli) of Pensacola; his mother, Sophia Zea Ritenour; his sisters, Kate Ritenour Sverkounova (Chris) and Mary Beth Ritenour Mills (Scott); his brother, James Robert Ritenour (Jody); as well as his brothers-in-law and their wives, James Nixon Daniel, III (Linnea), John Phillips Daniel (Marie), and Robert Edward Daniel (Jennifer); as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

The family will receive friends from 10:00am until the Funeral Service begins at 11:00am Friday, December 1, 2023, at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Dave Snyder officiating. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mission First or Samaritan Hands ministries at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, ministries that focus on those in need which John cared deeply about.

The family would like to thank the staff at Stone County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their loving care of John for the last 19 months. We would also like to thank the numerous medical professionals in Pensacola, Augusta, Wiggins, and Gulfport that cared for John throughout the last 3 years. We are deeply appreciative.