Lester Carl Ritchie, 89, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2009. He was born on July 4, 1920 in Steele, North Dakota. Lester was a hard hat diver at Pearl Harbor during WWII and was there during the attack on December 7, 1941. Lester was an active member of the Cactus Flower Pearl Harbor Survivors; a lifetime member of the Elks and a member of the Moose Lodge. On October 27, 1943, Lester married the love of his life, Phyllis Walls in Vancouver, Washington. They lived in McMinnville, Oregon, where Lester worked for the Sanitary Dairy. They had three sons; Dennis, Galen, and Richard. Later they moved to Dayton, Oregon, where they owned & operated a Dairy Queen Restaurant. Next they moved to Salem, Oregon, where Lester owned and operated Ritchies TV Service. Lester also loved the ocean. He spent several summers as a commercial fisherman off the West Coast. After retiring, Lester and Phyllis spent three years traveling with friends around the U.S. in their motor homes. Eventually, they settled down in the Foothills of Yuma. Lester is survived by his wife of 66 years, Phyllis; sons, Galen and Liz Ritchie of Yuma, and Dick of Salem, Oregon; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Lester was preceded in death by his oldest son, Dennis. There will be an open house to celebrate Lester's life on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at his home: 13219 E. 48th St. in the Foothills. Galen can be reached at 928-345-1229. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice Compassus in Lester's name. Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituaries.