John T. Ritchey, Jr. was born on August 21, 1947 in Cleveland to the late LaVonne and John "Jay" Ritchey, Sr. He is also preceded in death by his beloved sisters, Kathryn "Kay" Seymour and Carol "Corky" Brazeal. He is survived by nephews, Donald, John, Ronald, Gill, and Robert Seymour, Jr.; nieces, Anne (Gill) McGuire and Letitia "Tish" Seymour; and many great nieces and nephews. John was a 1965 graduate of St. Joseph High School and a 1972 graduate of Case Westen Reserve University. He later graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kent State University in 1979 with a degree in Special Education. His fondest memory was recieving a cork gun for his 6th birthday from his mother and using it to shoot then teenaged Danny Green, right between the eyes. When listening to his life story, his main goal had always been to complete his degree, get a good job and to take care of his mother and father. Later in life he wrote and published, Hunter Among the Stars under the pseudonym John Robert Jordan. It was a culmination of his research on the infamous Zodiac Killer.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00AM at Mentor Municipal Cemetery, 6881 Hopkins Rd., Mentor, Ohio 44060.