2017 Leevon Ritter

LEEVON RITTER

Organ Donor

Age 24 ~ Ft. Hood Military Base – Killeen, TX

Donated on 5/24/2012

at Baylor Scott & White Memorial Hospital

Honored by organ.org

Sergeant Leevon Ritter was a friend to everyone he touched and his smile could light up the darkest of moments. Sgt. Ritter was a dedicated soldier who tirelessly fought for the freedom of others. He was a 2006 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa where he was a member of the wrestling and baseball teams. Directly after graduation, Leevon enlisted in the United States Army and entered active duty service as a M1A2 armor crewman. On May 31, Leevon was buried with military honors at the National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois. He is remembered through the Sgt. Leevon Ritter Support Your Troops Resale Store, operated by Operation Phantom Support in Killeen, Texas. He was able to give three others the gift of life and demonstrate the kindness he was known for.

Leevon’s Story

Sergeant Leevon Ritter was truly loved and cherished by all who knew him. Even strangers often shared messages with his family about his kindness. He was a friend to everyone he touched and his smile could light up the darkest of moments.

Sgt. Ritter was a dedicated soldier who tirelessly fought for the freedom of others. He was a 2006 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa where he was a member of the wrestling and baseball teams. Directly after graduation, Leevon enlisted in the United States Army and entered active duty service as a M1A2 armor crewman.

After serving two tours of duty in Iraq, Leevon was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas where he continued his passion of building cars and motorcycles. He loved racing them at the local tracks. He also played on several softball teams where he developed many new friendships.

It was difficult for his family to imagine that at the age of 24, Sgt. Ritter’s life took a tragic turn. On May 18, 2012, Leevon was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. His family would soon learn what his kindness towards strangers would truly mean.

Leevon had informed his parents of his decision to be an organ donor so they were aware of his desire to help save lives. He was able to give three others the gift of life and was able to once more, demonstrate the kindness he was known for.

On May 31, Leevon was buried with military honors at the National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois. He is remembered through the Sgt. Leevon Ritter Support Your Troops Resale Store, operated by Operation Phantom Support in Killeen, Texas. The center is designed to help support soldiers and veterans by assisting with low-cost, high quality items sold through the thrift store. His mother, father, step-mother and sisters continue to honor Leevon by telling his inspiring story and educating the public about the importance of organ donation.