DAVID RITCHIE

The following update was shared by David’s mom and sister, Leah:

Shortly after graduation - June 30, 2005 to be exact – David started working at Walmart. He also became very involved in Special Olympics where he played basketball, soccer, floor hockey, softball and ran track. In fact, he actually holds two records in Idaho for track.

In 2009 he got a call from his Special Olympics Coach asking if he wanted to go to China. He said of course! He called our mom saying he was going to China, but she had no idea what the heck he was talking about. His coach called and told our mom that since Idaho had hosted the World Games a few years before they wanted to return the favor, so David got to go across the world to play soccer. He was there for ten days, during which time he got to see the sights in Shanghai and earn a bronze medal!

In 2010 he got a call from one of his buddies who was the police chief in Boise. He had recommended that David go to Nebraska with Special Olympics to represent Idaho in The Law Enforcement Torch Run. Once again David was chosen and off he went! During the event he ran 50 miles in ten days - David was the only Special Olympian who ran every. single. mile. In addition to running through various towns, David had the opportunity to share his own experience with Special Olympics and raise awareness about this amazing program. One additional fact - David is the ONLY Special Olympian from Idaho to run in the Torch Run!

In 2012 David and our family moved from Rexburg to Kansas City, where both our parents are originally from. It was time to go "home". In Kansas David and our grandpa spent every single day together. They watched as many sporting events together that they possibly could; they were best buds. David also continued to work at Walmart and play Special Olympics

On August 20, 2014 David was killed in a traffic accident. Our hearts are completely broken. David was laid to rest next to his grandma in the Floral Hills Cemetery in Kansas City.

***David’s family is doing a fundraiser for Special Olympics in his honor.  If you are interested in helping them in this endeavor, you can go to the following link: http://www.gofundme.com/mtklwc 

Here are the details:

This July Special Olympics USA is hosting the 2015 Summer World Games in Los Angeles. As a part of this celebration they will be running the Olympic Torch through all 50 states. The run in Kansas City will be held June 17-18. 

David was ecstatic when he heard that the games were going to be in America, and he was completely determined to go and volunteer. Since he is unable to attend in person we have decided that we are going to get a team in Kansas City together to run in the torch in his honor. It cost $1500 to register as a team, and we would love to be able to raise that money for not only David's memorial, but for the millions of athletes Special Olympics helps around the globe.

(This picture of David was taken the day before he passed away)