Chris Ringham Jr. of Monroe, La., died Aug. 9, 2003 at Glenwood Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born Oct. 16, 1926, son of Christopher Ringham and Hattie (Larsen). He was a graduate of Albert Lea High School in 1944 and the University of Minnesota where he received his bachelor of arts and master’s degrees in speech and theater. He directed theaters in Charlotte, W.V., Bloomington, Minn., Richmond, Ind. and in Winston Salem, N.C. In 1968 he became executor director at the Strauss Little Theater in Monroe and stayed there until retirement after 34 years. The Louisiana governor named him Louisiana Arts Patron in 1992, and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo declared May 4, 2002, Chris Ringham Day.

He is survived by a daughter, Kit Judge Hawkins; grandson, Jackson Hawkins, two sisters: Katherine (Noona) Barnick of Hayward, and Berneice Paczkowski of Albert Lea; brother, Howard Ringham of Northwood, Iowa; and brother-in-law, Connie C. Woullard of Odessa, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Sanford; and sister, Esther Woullard.

No formal funeral was held, but after cremation a memorial service was held at the Strauss Theater Center and the urn with his ashes was placed in the theater.