Jeffrey John Ritts

After a long illness, Jeff Ritts passed away September 11, 2019, at the age of 64. Jeff will be lovingly remembered by his life partner of over 40 years, Terry Haas, mother Dorothy Ritts, brother Dan (Andrea) Ritts, and sister Nancy (Jerald) Pataky. He is also remembered by cousins Linda and Bobby, many nieces and nephews, and close friend Lance Beehler. Jeff was predeceased by his father, Paul Ritts, his sister, Vickie Ritts, and brother, Rob Ritts.
Jeff was born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 27, 1955. The family moved three times in his childhood to suburban areas of Cleveland, Cincinnati and Chicago. With each move Jeff was always thought to be one of the nicest kids in the neighborhood. He faced cancer of the pelvic bone at age 16, and bravely fought the odds of survival. Jeff’s life was forever altered. To undergo cancer treatments, he dropped out of school, eventually earning his diploma in night school.
A love of fishing, outdoors, and wildlife led Jeff to Florida, where he was a fishing guide in Everglades Holiday Park for a few years. He returned to the Chicago area and started an independent painting business and met Terry. Together they moved to Greer, SC. Jeff was proud of his property and happy when he was caring for his landscape, especially the flowers and trees. He continued his painting business until he was unable due to illness. For a few years he operated a garage business. Fishing remained his life-long love, and he spent as much time as health would allow on his bass boat on Lake Hartwell.
Watching his favorite sports teams on TV was one of Jeff’s pleasures. He loved his Chicago teams, “da Bears” and the Bulls. He was also fond of all dogs, but especially Patches and Misty, his and Terry’s recent fur babies. Jake, Ben, and Rocky were his dogs as a younger adult.
Jeff’s ashes will be spread in a private ceremony at a later date.