Charles Lowrey Ritchie, A true America patriot died early in the morning, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Charles Lowrey Ritchie: known to everyone as "CHUCK," left us with a great legacy. He served twice in the U.S. Army; twice in the U.S. Air Force; and, while in the Vietnam War, he was "loaned" to the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon return, he later served on the New Orleans Police Force, and even later, on the Slidell, Louisiana Police Force. He was a hero abroad and at home! He is a graduate of William Carey University. A born "salesman," Chuck used his talents working for Crown Zellerbach from his then-home in Slidell. He moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama in the early 1990s to be near his mom and dad, Ethel Marie Ritchie and Burton Forbes Ritchie. He took real estate training under tutelage of Meyer Real Estate's owner, Sheila Hodges. Her excellent training helped Chuck quickly become one of that firm's top salesmen. Unfortunately, Chuck suffered a major Myocardial Infarction only a few hours after arriving in Boca Raton FL. on March 27, 1996. Medical pronouncements were not encouraging: He was left with a very serious Traumatic Brain Injury; staying in ICU for weeks; then 3 months in a brain-rehab facility in Boca. He was diagnosed as needing life-long, 24-7 round-the-calendar care. And, he had lost the ability to talk. In Boca, Chuck's good friend, Claude O'Connor chartered a jet, and transported Chuck back to Gulf Shores' Jack Edwards Airport, one day after his August 30th birthday. Claude had volunteered to become Chuck's Legal Guardian, and had Chuck live with him. This arrangement was beneficial to both: having received projections of "He won't last more than six months,' Chuck improved rapidly, with the enormous help of treatment for 29 months at New Orleans' "Bancroft Rehabilitation Living Centers." But he still couldn't speak. A freak accident restored Chuck's speaking ability: Diagnosis of prostate cancer called for 39 radiation treatments. Believing that Chuck might suffer fear of the treatments, doctors ordered 5 MG VALIUM to be taken daily, 1 hour before each treatment. He followed that regimen for 2 days. As Chuck was in no way inhibited by the treatments, O'Connor decided that he should terminate the Valium. FATE STEPPED IN. On that 2nd day, Chuck and Claude were having post-treatment lunch by the back yard pool. Their housekeeper and her young son arrived, and her usual arrival door was locked. So, they had to go around to the backyard. Chuck spied the young man and hollered out, " - - - -, get your ass over here." We had not heard him speak for 12 years and were astounded! Claude concluded that it could only be the Valium that brought back speech ability. He took that info to Chuck's lead Neurologist, Dr. Howard Katz. He, believing, but dumbfounded, ordered the Valium dosage increased to 7 .5 MG. Chuck's speech improved to the point that Claude and the world-renown Dr. Katz of Jackson, MS were invited by the North American Brain Injury Association to present their discovery at its annual national convention. One of Chuck's Hospice nurses researched and announced that Medical Science had, indeed, studied the Valium/speech issue and validated the possibility of the improvement that Chuck had enjoyed. Chuck continued improving, speech and otherwise, until Parkinson's Symptoms overwhelmed his body about 5 years ago. He went into a slow decline that terminated with his death on July 30th. On behalf of Chuck, sincere appreciation is extended to: The Boca Raton Fire Dept. for sticking with Chuck in 1996 and administering the amazing EIGHT defibrillations; only the 8th brought Chuck back to life. And to the following, who kept Chuck alive, heathy, and happy for over 27 years: Rhonda Grafton, CNA; Jason & Christine Brown, RNs; Daren Montgomery; Jonathan Edward Wells; Bruce Nelson; June Brewer; Chris Blount; Ken Haynie and all who showered love and attention on Chuck and brought his "spirit, muscles and will" back to life! Chuck is survived by his Legal Guardian and friend, Claude O'Connor, Gulf Shores; by his sister, Marie R. Brock (Richard W Brock), Ocean Springs Mississippi; by his son, Charles Burton Ritchie, father of Chuck's two grandchildren, Stephen Tarver Ritchie and Taryn Carmel Ritchie of Park City, Utah. The burial will be held at Pine Rest Cemetery, in west Foley on Friday, August 4, 2023. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. 'til 1 p.m. Funeral followed at 11 a.m.
