John Dwight Ritcheson, 66, of Dawsonville, died March 14, 2011.

Born June 6, 1944 in Muncie, Indiana to the late Burl Edgar and Lexie Frances Thomason Ritcheson, he lived in Dawson County for 11 years, having moved from Duluth.

Mr. Ritcheson began his working career with Muncie Auto Parts, after which he was transferred to Decatur to manage a local store. In the early 1970s, he founded Tri-Flex, which manufactured hydraulic hoses.

He was also formerly employed by Carmet and Air-O-Matic, a subsidiary of Maridyne.

John then founded Southeast Steering Inc., which later merged with BAB Steering and Hydraulics, where he currently served as National Sales Manager.

His son, Shawn Dwight Ritcheson; sisters, LaDene Grove, Linda Lee Keen; and a brother, Fred Willis Ritcheson, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Barbara Mabon Ritcheson of Dawsonville; children, Catherine and Tim Waddell, Sarah and Scott Griggs, all of Dawsonville, Angela and Anthony Griggs of Buford, Phillip and Tiffany Hancock of Statham, Kevin and Janie Ritcheson of Buford; sisters and brothers-in-law, Beryle and Jim Patton, Carolyn and DeWayne McGuire, Lois Turner; brothers and sister-in-law, Burl E. Ritcheson, Jr., Jim and Dana Ritcheson; 14 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. March 18 at Grace Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dana Hughes officiating. Interment followed in Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations were requested made to the Good Shepherd Clinic, c/o Grace Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 201, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.