Orice "Buddy" Alexander Ritch, Jr.

Orice "Buddy" Alexander Ritch, Jr. (95), traded his reign as Kinston’s consummate community champion for his heavenly wings on Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 11, 2024.

The son of the late Orice Alexander Ritch, Sr. and Estelle Kinsey Ritch, Buddy was born in Charlotte, NC on January 11, 1929, “a child of the depression - which some believe had great influence on his frugal ways.” Growing up, he was a member of the Methodist Church, learned to play the piano, and loved bird hunting. He played football at Central High School and was also an Eagle Scout. He furthered his education at UNC in Chapel Hill, which is where he met the love-of-his-life, MaryMac Kear, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Upon graduation from Carolina, Buddy enlisted in Officers Candidate School (OCS) and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division during the Korean War. He and his beloved MaryMac were married while he was in the service; in the meantime, Buddy was saving the additional $100 a month he received as a Jump Master, which he later used to purchase his own business, a Western Auto store, after the service.

Upon completing training in Greensboro, he and MaryMac settled in Kinston, raising a family and operating the store for the next 22 years. They became active in the Queen Street Methodist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and as a Sunday School teacher.

Their love of travel and history often led them on cross-country trips by station wagon with their three children, visiting 48 states, plus Canada and Mexico. Over the years he and MaryMac eventually visited all seven continents. His other interests included golf and fishing, which he enjoyed well into his 90’s.

Buddy’s entrepreneurial spirit led to his pursuit of other business interests as well, but his love of community was the real driving force leading to much of his success.

He organized and started the Boys and Girls Club of Lenoir County, and the Homeless Shelter in Kinston.

He established the “The Pride of Kinston” Downtown Revitalization commission and served as its first chairman.

He organized the Keep America Beautiful Committee, the Fire Station Committee, and the Association of Congregations.

He served as Kinston’s Mayor for 12 years from 1985 – 1997, and another 4 years from 2005 – 2009. “As an elected official, Buddy devoted time, energy, and talents to the city, and provided service with unfailing integrity, dignity, and thoughtful reflection.”

Buddy and MaryMac’s “tireless efforts,” which included enlisting the help of numerous local citizens, “paved the way for Kinston to receive the prestigious All America City Award” twice, in 1988 and again in 2009.

In 1992 he and other community leaders helped secure the Kinston Jetport as the location for the NC Global TransPark.

As Mayor, he was instrumental in helping bring over 20 new industries to Kinston and Lenoir County, including Lenox China, Basset-Walker, Dopaco, Frigidaire, Mountain Cargo, West Pharmaceuticals, Electrolux, and more.

In 2001 he and MaryMac, as a result of their “team approach” to community service, were named co-recipients of the Lenoir County “Citizen of the Year” Award.

In 2010 he was the recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, presented by then-Governor and personal friend Beverly Purdue.

His varied interests led to his also holding state, regional, and local leadership positions with Caswell District Boy Scouts of America, the National League of Cities, the NC League of Municipalities, Electricities of NC, and the NC General Assembly Fiscal Trends and Reform Legislative Research Committees. He served as President of the local Civitan Club and became Lt. Governor for the district of NC, receiving the Outstanding Lt Governor Award.

He was also a longtime supporter of the Lenoir County Community College Foundation. Quoting Foundation Board Executive Director Jeanne Kennedy:

 “Buddy’s leadership brought the Lenoir Community College Foundation into a new era. He played a transformative role in restructuring the Foundation Board, served as Chairman, and initiated the annual golf classic, which has generated more scholarships than any other fundraising event for LCC. He was instrumental in introducing potential donors to the financial challenges facing students in Lenoir, Greene, and Jones County. He never hesitated to ask his friends to donate or establish an endowment. His unwavering determination and dedication to helping students—ensuring that hundreds have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals—truly set him apart. His greatest joy came from knowing he was improving lives and making our community better.”

In addition, Buddy was one of the “Eight Eighties of Kinston” – also known as the “Wounded Warrior Team”, which consisted of eight Kinston veterans in their 80’s who visited area military bases in 2013 to thank soldiers for their service and, as title sponsors,  invited them to a military baseball series at historic Grainger Stadium called the “Freedom Classic” between the Naval and the Air Force Academies.

Then, in 2017 he helped bring class A baseball back to Kinston, after a 4-year hiatus.

In 2018, former Mayor Buddy Ritch was presented with the Keys to the City of Kinston.

Often described as a cheerleader, organizer, team-builder, and consensus-builder, he explains that “Getting the City and County working together was a big help in recruiting new industry and jobs to the area. We got ALL the people working together to make things happen.”

Some of his notes from 2019 ended with: “Clean up Queen Street – this is my last project before I die!”

In 2010 Buddy lost his beloved MaryMac but has since been blessed by the endearing friendship and companionship of his lady-friend Jenny Lind Edmondson.

He was also preceded in death by his brother Eugene (Gene) Kinsey Ritch, and his son William (Bill) Alexander Ritch.

He is survived by his daughters, Rena Ritch Norcross (Mark) of High Point, NC and Stella Ritch Nelson (Neill) of Rocky Mount, NC, Daughter-in-Law Stacy Ritch of Murrells Inlet, SC, grandchildren Carson Norcross (Natalie), Katherine Norcross Bisagni (Alessandro), Laurie McRainey McLaurin (Patrick), Bowen McRainey (Madison), Emma Gudis (Greg), Sophie Ritch, Lilly Ritch, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Buddy’s life will be held on Friday, November 15th at 3:00 at Westminster United Methodist Church, 1001 Westminster Lane, Kinston, NC 28501, with a visitation from 1:00 – 2:45 in the Fellowship Hall. Services will be streamed at WUMC Live - YouTube .

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westminster United Methodist Church, 1001 Westminster Lane, Kinston, NC 28501; to 902 Church, 2009 Carey Road, Kinston, NC 28501; Boys and Girls Club of Lenoir County, 2600 Rouse Road, Kinston, NC 28501; or to the Lenoir Community College (LCC) Foundation, Mayor and Mrs. O.A. “Buddy” Ritch Scholarship, P.O. Box 188, Kinston, NC 28502.

The family would like to thank caregivers Sam Jones, Teresa Whitfield, Penny Edgerton, Ronya Smith, and Gentiva Hospice of Kinston. Your loving care and support was a blessing to us all when we needed it most.

Howard-Carter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.