September 16, 1934 – August 21, 2018
Jim Ritchey was born in Richmond, Indiana. His family moved to Fort Myers, Florida, early in his life, where he was raised and first developed his life-long love for charting, navigating, and sailing. After graduating
from Fort Myers High School, Ritchey attended the University of Florida for both his undergraduate and law degrees. While in law school, he served as an associate editor of the Law Review and graduated with honors.
Ritchey joined Williams Parker after his graduation in 1962 and practiced law with the firm for the entirety of his 55-year legal career. He focused on real estate, banking, and finance law; was a consummate real estate lawyer; and was a superb mentor to young associates. His ability to absorb and decipher a complex set of facts and issues and reach a conclusion that was clear, rational, and decisive was exceptional, earning him a reputation as one of the best real estate attorneys in the state and an expert on title insurance. As a member of the firm’s Management Committee for over 30 years, Ritchey was elected the firm’s first treasurer in 1972. He served as treasurer until his election as the firm’s third president in 1997, a position he held until 2006.
Ritchey’s real estate practice allowed him to garner a deep well of local historical knowledge, and he became the reference upon whom many in the community relied. With characteristic humility, he declined to have his name added to the firm’s title, believing a longer name would not be in the best interest of the firm. An important community leader, Ritchey served as chair of the Sarasota Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee and chair and board member for many years of Attorneys Title Insurance Fund.
Ritchey and his wife, Shirley, were married 62 years and had two children. Ritchey was an extraordinary lawyer and a selfless, guiding force for the firm for decades.
More about Jim’s life and accomplishments can be read in his obituary, as published by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.