Walter Riter

Walter Venner Riter was born on January 7th, 1931 and he passed away, surrounded by loved ones, on July 18th, 2023. Walter was preceded in death by his parents; Christopher Columbus Riter and Nannie Riter, two siblings; James Taylor and Nancy Arber, and two children; Michael McDonald and Nita Jo Hopkins and a daughter-in-law, Juli McDonald. Walter was born in Forney, Tx, where he resided his entire life. He graduated from Forney High School in 1948, spent some time in the farming-ranching industry which he cherished, and later joined the United States Navy, where he honorably served his country in the Korean War. Walter was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge-Brooklyn #386 and the Order of the Eastern Star for many years, as well as being a member of Gideons International, through which he received great satisfaction in distributing Bibles. After retiring as an Accounting Manager at C & H Transportation, he enjoyed a very successful career in Real Estate for over 45 years. The last 30+ years of his career occurred in his beloved community of Forney, where he built a strong family Brokerage, that to his delight is still carried on today through his children and grandchildren. Later in life, one of his passions was nurturing his miniature donkeys from which he derived great pleasure. Walter married his lifelong friend and the love of his life, Carry, on June 15ᵗʰ, 1962, where he instantly became a “Daddy” to Carry’s four children, filling his life with purpose and joy. One year later, Walter and Carry welcomed a blessing that was the light of his life, a little baby girl, Nan Marie Riter. Words do not do justice to the bond these two shared. Walter was a shining example of a father, husband, “Papa”, and Christian man. He quietly and intentionally lived his entire life according to Biblical principles, to which those blessed enough to know him can confidently attest. Heaven has gained an amazing soul. Walter is survived by his beloved wife of over 61 years, Carry Riter; daughter, Nan Riter and husband, Pete Jones; son, Sam McDonald; daughter, Kaylene Salas; grandchildren: O’Brien McDonald and wife, Carrie, Deidra Ruchaber and husband, Mitch, Sean McDonald and wife, Shannon, Lesley Pennington and husband, Ryan, Walter Coffelt and wife, Jamie, Leonard Coffelt, Michael Hopkins and wife, Kristi, Amy Hopkins and Christina Davis and husband Chuck; great grandchildren: Ayden and Paige, Cooper and Lilly, Xander, Boyd and Samantha, Riley, Hunter C., and Austin, Jayden, Cody, Hunter H., Trinity, Seven and Isaiah, Katy and Ethan and Mason and Coy as well as other beloved extended family and countless friends. Funeral service will be at 11:00am, Saturday, July 22, 2023 at First Methodist Church in Forney with interment to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. His family will be receiving friends beginning at 10:00am to service time.at the church. For those wishing, memorials in honor of Walter can be made to First Methodist Church, Forney at https://www.firstmethodistforney.org/serve/serve-through-giving/ or to the Brooklyn Masonic Lodge #386 AF & AM, 103 E Highway 80, Forney, TX 75126.

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Walter Riter

January 7, 1931 - July 18, 2023