Byron Dean Ritchie, 75, of Hobbs, died December 11, 2012, in Lubbock, TX, after a lengthy illness. He was born December 29,1936, in Britan, OK, to Andy Truman and Maude Webb.
After living in Britan, Byron moved to Iraan, TX, at age 9 and went to school there until his junior year in high school when his dad got transferred to McCamey. The schools at Iraan wanted Byron to stay there and live with his sister, Pearline, because he was so good at football and tr£ck. His parents refused the offer and Byron had to move to McCamey. He made the move and became the big sport star there where he set records in both football and track. Upon graduation in 1956, he went to Odessa College to run track and get a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He then went to work in the oilfield until he was drafted into the army in December of 1959. After being drafted, he decided he would marry the love of his life, Fran A. Kyle. They married December 23,1959, in McCamey, TX. They soon moved to Ft. Lewis, WA, where he was stationed for 2 Vi years. Upon discharge they moved to Hobbs, NM, where he went to work in the oilfield. Soon after, he was offered a job for Hillbilly Bread where he worked for 12 years. Then he worked as a haberdasher and then for Permian Transport until he retired.
Byron and Fran bought Chapparal Racing Farms in 1982. Byron loved being at the
farm with the horses. He loved to race his horses and it would make his day
when they won.
Byron was a member of New Mexico Horseman Association, New Mexico Horse Breeders Association and Zia Park Horseman Committee. He served on Zia Park Horseman committee and was a long time breeder of New Mexico bred horses.
Surviving Byron, is his wife, Fran A. Ritchie of Hobbs; five sisters, Gladys Roe and Pauline Walton both of Oklahoma City, OK, Pearline Lively of Monahans, TX, Dorothy Hart, and husband B. J., of Hudson Oaks, TX, and Mona Landrum of

Abilene, TX; brother, Dale Ritchie, and wife Judy, of Marble Falls, TX; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Billy Ritchie.

Published 1/15/2013 by Chapel of Hope