Clay Jessup Ritter, a native of New Castle, was born in Glenwood Springs on Sept. 14, 1921, and died in Lynchburg, VA, on Feb. 28, 2013.

Clay was the son of John Columbine Ritter and Helene Jessup Ritter, both of pioneer western Colorado families. Clay graduated from New Castle High School in 1939 and from Colorado State University in 1943.

Upon graduation and, with four years of ROTC training, Clay entered the U.S. Army and began a distinguished military career in World War II. His final assignment was with the 15th Field Artillery Battalion, and he earned a Bronze Star for his action in one of the final battles of the war.

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After his military service to our country and a short tenure in his father’s potato business in New Castle, Clay began a long career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as chief of the Market News Service, until his retirement in 1985.

Clay Ritter is survived by his wife, Betty, two daughters, and sister, Jane Hornsby.

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Burial service was March 8 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Forest, VA.