John Frederick Ritter

John Frederick Ritter

John Frederick Ritter, 61, passed away on May 5, 2026, in Houston after a long illness. He was the devoted father of his son, Johnathan Dane Ritter, whom he welcomed with Marina Boyer. He was the cherished son of C.W. Buddy” Ritter and Margaret Ritter, a loving brother to Charles Winfield “Win” Ritter and his sister, Elizabeth Ritter Neely.; His nephews Gavin and Robert and nice Elle Margaret.

John was born in Cloudcroft and attended grade school there before moving to Las Cruces, where he graduated from Las Cruces High School with the Class of 1982. He attended Arizona State University before graduating from University of California, Davis with a degree in Brewing Science.

John was an excellent skier and became the New Mexico Junior Ski Champion while skiing for Ski Cloudcroft. In his youth, he loved riding his donkey, Olive Oil, and exploring the mountains around his father’s Cloudcroft Lodge deep in the forests. Those early years shaped his adventurous spirit and lifelong connection to nature.

He later became an incredible musician and gifted guitar player. Those who knew him will always remember the sound of his guitar and his passion for music. His love for the guitar grew into a dedicated career as a professional musician. He was the guitar player and founding member of the rock group “Dame.”

John dedicated himself to the craft of brewing with creativity and passion. His brewing skills led to the creation of world-class award-winning beers, earning admiration from those in the brewing community and everyone fortunate enough to experience his work. He won two Gold Medals for his beers at the Great American Beer Festival and was deeply respected for his talent and innovation as a Brew Master. He approached brewing the same way he approached life — with artistry, curiosity, and heart.

John loved the ocean and the mountains and seemed to know every back road and hidden trail along the way. He found peace in nature and adventure in the journey. Everyone who came into contact with John was left carrying a piece of his passion. He loved what he did so deeply that he could not help but share it with everyone around him. John had a rare gift for inspiring people and making them feel connected to the things he loved most.

He will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, kindness, creativity, and the lasting impact he made through his music, his craft, and the love he gave to family and friends. Though his passing leaves a tremendous void, his legacy will live on in the memories, stories, music, and laughter shared by all who knew him.

A memorial will be held at the Double Eagle de Mesilla at 5:00 p.m. on May 29, 2026. A family burial service will be held May 30, 2026, in Cloudcroft at James Canyon Cemetery.