David Alexander Ritchie

My dad, Judge David Ritchie

A hero has to be brave. He has to be able to never back down and always stand firm for that in which he believes. He has to be able to face facts, or the truth, and always have a positive attitude when doing so. That is what a hero is to me.

My dad at work

My dad, David Ritchie, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 22nd. He lived there the first seven years of his life. When he was seven, he and his family moved to Pineville, Louisiana. His dad worked for the state and his mom was a housewife. He was one of five children and his family didn’t have much.

My dad walking with my sister

When he was 17 years old, my dad joined the National Guard and went away to basic training. While he was there, his oldest sister, Kelley, died at just 22 years of age. He was devastated! No one ever figured out the reason for her death. After that tragedy, Dad stayed in the Louisiana National Guard for eight more years.

Following basic training and Military Police School, my father attended Louisiana College for two years. Then he transferred to Louisiana Tech for two more years of schooling. He graduated from there in 1989. Since he didn’t have much money, he had to borrow funds to attend law school at Mississippi College School of Law. He graduated from there in 1992.

My family portrait

While he was attending Louisiana College, my dad met my mom, Janet Green Ritchie. They dated and attended Louisiana Tech together. After a while, they got married and had three beautiful children: David, Jackson, and Annaliese. Eventually, they bought a house in Sulphur, Louisiana.

Besides remaining busy with his career and taking care of our family, my dad also attends Our Lady of Prompt Succor where he serves as a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Pastoral Council. Additionally, he loves to coach the sports teams of which my brother, my sister, and I are members.

My dad is really a true hero because of many reasons. He has overcome so much in his lifetime and has made the most of that which he was given. Through it all, he always kept, and continues to display, a positive and loving attitude. These are the reasons why I admire my dad, David Ritchie, and why he is and always will be My Hero!