Ritchie Neal Rector, 51

Ritchie Neal Rector, 51, resident of Trout Creek, Mont., passed away on Friday, March 7, 2008, near Clark Fork, Idaho, from injuries received in a vehicle accident.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. MST on Friday, March 21, 2008, at the Whitepine United Methodist Church with Dr. Mark Wendle officiating.

Burial will follow at the Whitepine Cemetery.

Ritchie was born on May 5, 1956, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Lou and Dorrie Rector.

He grew up and attended schools in Temple City, Calif.

After graduation Ritchie began exploring the western United States on foot and bicycle. He spent time in Lake Powell, Ariz., Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Sandpoint, Idaho, finally settling in Trout Creek, Mont.

Ritchie was a skilled carpenter and was meticulous at finish work.

He took great pride in his trade and loved carpentry work.

He also worked for his friends at Overman's Rock Quarry.

On May 20, 2006, in Clark Fork, Ritchie was married to Beverly Kincy by Dr. Mark Wendle.

The couple made their home in Trout Creek, Mont., where Ritchie loved life, liked to have a good time and also cherished his many good friends.

He loved the outdoors, skiing, bike riding, swimming, wood working, and horseback riding.

Ritchie liked to have a good time, he especially enjoyed blues music and his favorite artist was Bob Dylan. Ritchie played the harmonica and loved to dance. He enjoyed playing pool and shuffle board and liked his Miller High Life.

Ritchie was a Christian man of great faith who was not shy about sharing it with others.

He loved to pray and generously ministered to people who needed help.

He was a humble man with few possessions, matters of the heart were more important to him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Rector of Trout Creek; a sister, Terry (John) Baker of Camas, Wash.; a brother, Mike (Catherine) Rector of Camarillo, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Juanita (Dennis) Pitman of Mt. Vernon, Wash.; a grandson, Rick Pitman; seven nieces and nephews; and many very good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Patrice Rector.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

Please visit Ritchie's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.