Colonel John Douglas Ritenour, United States Air Force Retired, died at his home in Shalimar, Florida on August 22, 2012. He was born in Strasburg, Virginia on April 15, 1927 to Ellen Blanchfield Ritenour and Arthur Russell Ritenour. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sophia Zea Ritenour whom he married on June 15, 1957. He also is survived by his four children and their families: John Edward Ritenour, his wife Susan, and their children James Clayton Cranmer and Sarah Christine Ritenour; Kate Zea Ritenour Sverkounova, her husband Chris, and their children Matthew Reece Thomas, Irina Sverkounova and Alexandra Sverkounova; Mary Beth Ritenour Mills, her husband Scott, and their children Amy Zea Mills, John James Mills, Samuel Scott Mills and Hannah Christine Mills; James Robert Ritenour, his wife Jody and their children James Robert Ritenour, Jr. and Marion Zea Ritenour. He also is survived by his sister Sallie Ritenour Rusch and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends who were very dear to his heart. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Arthur Bill Ritenour, June Ritenour Johnston, James Robert Ritenour, Gloria Ritenour Grassmoen, Daniel Lee Ritenour, Carl F. Ritenour, and Penny Ritenour Teal. John D. was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strasburg. He graduated from Strasburg High School in 1944 and was president of his graduating class. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1945 and was discharged in 1946. He was recalled to service in the USAF in 1950. In 1955 he graduated from flight school at Sheppard AFB, Texas. During his Air Force Career, he served at Ashiya AFB, Japan; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Vietnam; Stewart Field, New York; Lockbourne AFB, Ohio; Hurlburt Field, Florida; Clark Air Base, Philippines; and Altus AFB, Oklahoma. He retired from active duty at Altus in August, 1981, and returned to his home in Shalimar. John D. will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He took the time to appreciate each day that was given to him and was grateful for the joys each of those days held. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 6 to 8 pm at Stover Funeral Home. Saturday, September 1, 2012, morning services will begin with Gravesite rites at 10:00 A.M. in Riverview Cemetery. The funeral will follow at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church. There will be a fellowship meal at the church after the service. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to Strasburg Fire Department, P.O. Box 347, Strasburg, Virginia 22657 or St. Paul Lutheran Church, 193 W. Washington St., Strasburg, VA 22657. .