Gary Charles Ritter, 77, of Hill City, South Dakota was born on September 7, 1948 in Beloit, Kansas to Boyd and Joyce (Keller) Ritter and passed away on March 6, 2026, in Custer, South Dakota.

In the early 60’s, he drove water truck for the building of the Waconda Dam near Cawker City, Kansas. On December 26, 1968, he married Sandy Raney. Gary worked hard his whole life, having worked for Affiliated Stores for over 30 years as a meat cutter; a cook and caterer for events and ranch hands; a policeman for the town of Gordon, Nebraska and retiring as an assistant manager from Wal-Mart. His wife Sandy passed away on December 4, 2006.

On September 21, 2013, he married Kathy (Hladky, Honeycutt) and they made their home in the Black Hills in 2015. He was constantly working on projects on the inside and outside of their home. He loved to smoke meats and share with the neighbors. Gary and his brother, Larry, were very close, having been there for each other their whole lives.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy; sons, Kendall and wife Renae Wilson of Lincoln, Nebraska; Michael and soulmate Melissa Penn of Ellijay, Georgia; brother, Larry and wife Linda of Custer, South Dakota; sister, Tonja Westerman and husband Larry of Kensington, Kansas; two grandchildren, Phoenix and her boyfriend Brandon and Dom; step-grandchild, Davin and wife Jenn Wilson, two aunts; one uncle; cousins; two step-children; and a multitude of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son, Robert Alan.

No services are planned. Burial of ashes will be at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society.