BORN

1921

DIED

2015

FUNERAL HOME

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home & Crematory - Ellensburg

301 East Third Avenue

Ellensburg, Washington

Edward Fitton Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 26, 2015.

Ed Fitton passed away in his home Thursday evening June 25th. He was 94 years old.
He was surrounded by his wife Melba, family, and wonderful caregivers. Both of his children and their spouses had been able to be with him near his leaving date, and he was able to tell us with words how much he loved us before he left.
Ed is survived by his wife Melba. They were married June 28th 1945. They were married 69 years, 362 days.
He is also survived by his two children, and their families;
Lon and Liz Fitton of Mt. Shasta, CA, along with their sons, Chris and Ian Fitton. Chris and Alison Fitton along with granddaughter, Alexis (Lexi), live in Bend, OR. Ian and Meadow Fitton along with grandson, Costa, live in Dunsmuir, CA.
Alice and Don Dyk, of Quincy, WA, along with their children, Nate and Erin. Nate Dyk and his wife, Tracy, along with grandchildren, Abby, Olivia, and Colby, live in Sandpoint, ID. Erin Bender and her husband, Josh, along with granddaughters, Quincy and Reagan, live in Ellensburg.
There were also two very special members of their family: Monda Alexander of Jackson TN, who lived with them for many years during her career as a teacher in the Portland Area. She preceded Ed in death.
Don Sweet of Salem, OR, who lived with them through his late high school years. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Salem, OR.
Ed is also survived by his brother- and sister-in-law, Don and Ginny Fitton, and their son, John. He was preceded in death by Don and Ginny's daughter, Kris Lynn, all of Palo Alto, CA.
Ed's sister-in-law, Ida Fitton, and her children, David Fitton, Clifford Fitton, Steven Fitton, of Porterville, CA, area and Mary Hunwardson, of Merced, CA, also survive him.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Georgia Fitton of Lindsay, CA, and later Redwood City, CA, and his youngest brother, Clifford Fitton of Porterville, CA.
Born January 27th 1921, to Georgia (Watkins) Fitton and Roland Fitton, in Lindsay, CA, Ed grew up on his parents' and grandparents' orange grove just out of town. His father Roland, a RAF World War I Pilot, worked for Orange Belt Supply in Lindsay and surrounding farm area.
He graduated from Lindsay High school in 1939. For that summer after graduation, he worked in a backcountry resort called Mineral King. He met Melba Hunt there where she was working as a helper for the cook. The resort was at the site of a gold and silver rush village from the 1800's that had become a cool haven for people seeking relief from the heat of the San Joaquin Valley below. It was a starting point for mule and horse pack trains that took fishermen and wanderers deep into the high country of the Sierra Nevada, near Mt. Whitney. When that summer job was over, he went to work for a short time for an olive company in Lindsay.
After high school, Ed who had a lifelong love of engines, was accepted into Boeing School of Aeronautics located in Alameda, CA. When his class graduated, United Airlines hired the entire class. Within the first few months of joining United Air Lines he, along with most men of his age, enlisted in the military. World War 2 was beginning.
Ed joined the United States Air Corps and was sent to basic training in Florida. He received his A&E (airframe and engine) rating in Florida. He served in several bases in the United States, one of them being Wendover, NV. He served on various other bases, states side, and was eventually sent to March Field Air Base in Riverside. He was part of a test crew as the flight engineer. While stationed at March Field, he and Melba were married on June 28th 1945, in Exeter, CA, Melba's hometown, two miles from Lindsay, Ed's hometown.
When the war was over in 1945, Ed was separated out of the Air Corps. Melba remembers the celebration in the streets that day. He was "separated out "of the Air Corps when the war was over in 1945.
Ed was able to return to work for United Airlines in southern San Francisco after his service in the Air Corps. He worked in their main overhaul base as an inspector.
The first home Ed and Melba bought was in Redwood City, CA. It was a two bedroom one bath 800 square foot house in a brand new subdivision. The price of $7,000 was paid with monthly payments of $25.
After living in Redwood City, for many years, Ed took a job change within United Airlines and moved to Portland, OR. His job there was on the Auto Dock, working on any vehicle or motor for the ground operation of United Airlines. He remained at work for United Airlines until his retirement at the age of 62. After retirement, they moved to Ellensburg where their son, Lon, built them a home. It was a wonderful home and had an amazing view of Mount Stewart. They enjoyed putting in a garden and developing the yard there and also enjoyed getting involved at church. Ed would also help out with mechanical work on their son-in-law, Don's, family farm on Thorp Highway.
Ed and Melba moved to the "Rosewood Community" 8 years ago where they have made many wonderful friends. Thank you to the lovely neighbors who are Ed and Melba's friends. Thank you for standing by them in their difficult days and literally standing in the street as he was taken away. It was a beautiful goodbye for him.
We, the family, were truly blessed to have the emergency response team that came to us that night. It was like a band of angels sent to honor a man we all loved. Thank you, Fire Department, Emergency Medical Team, Police and Coroner. You all comforted us and made his passing easier.
We, Ed's family, will forever be indebted to Shannon McDaniel, and her Dad, Ken Beaty, for ushering us through this last year and 9 months. They took care of Dad with such tenderness and dignity and in the process blessed Melba and our whole family. And to the members of Ed and Melba's church family who are so dear to them, thank you for all your love and support.
Ed was a very quiet man, a man of few words some times, but he loved a good joke. He was a very humble man and would be embarrassed by all of this attention. He grasped the love of God and accepted God's love and forgiveness to him. He was a man that hungered after God and now he is satisfied. We all loved him and will never forget him.
There will be a gathering to remember Ed on Thursday, July 2nd at 7 p.m. at the "Rosewood Club House", 1101 E. Umptanum Road, Ellensburg, Washington 98926. If you wish to make a donation in place of flowers, Melba suggests the Ellensburg Hospice. Condolences for the family can be left at www.steward-williams.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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July 24, 2015

Brandi Eyerly

It was a sad day when I learned of Ed's passing. I did not know Ed well, we met through his and Melba's kindness to my Grandmother Blanche Harris. They were always there to give her a helping hand. Thank you Ed, you had a true Christian soul & were a kind gentleman. You will be greatly missed.

July 21, 2015

Ed Kelley

Ed served with my father-in-law Henry Weigel during WWII in Wendover Air Field, Wendover, UT and March Air Field, Riverside, CA. Ed was the chief maintenance supervisor in their squadrons. They repaired and refitted all types of aircraft prior to the aircraft being assigned to those units that were used in the Pacific Theater. He and Henry were life long friends and enjoyed getting together when they could to relive those days. Henry passed on Feb. 13, 2015. Henry was Commanding Officer at the time Ed applied for a 3-day pass so he and Melba could get married. Henry issued the pass without getting approval so they could get married and Henry took the heat. I enjoyed talking with Ed on a number of occasions and will dearly miss his easy manner and humility. He and Henry are now back in the skies.

Posted by Ed Kelley

July 7, 2015

Butch & Barb Benham

When visiting Tracy and Nate and children in Idaho we also enjoyed the visits we had with Ed and Melba. Ed was a pleasure to be with and so knowledgeable. With that twinkle in his eye, he enjoyed a good joke too! He will be missed.
With loving prayers and wishes for strength and peace for all the family at this sad time.

July 2, 2015

Remembering Uncle Ed

As I think of the wonderful, giving and loving life that Ed lived and for all he meant to me and so many others, some distinct memories come to mind:
The first is the genuine care, empathy, kindness and support that Ed continuously shared with others, especially those most vulnerable. This trait made a distinct impression on me as a young boy. I have also experienced this in Ed's son Lon and daughter Alice, so it was clearly a family value to genuinely reach out and help others who are less fortunate.

One long-ago summer, about 45 years ago, my sister Kris and I flew up to spend time with Ed, Aunt Melba and Alice at their Portland home. I have many wonderful memories of that trip, but two stand out as core memories of Ed.

The first is a time I attended Church with the family and, after the service, we stayed for a meeting where community issues were being discussed. I recall Uncle Ed standing up to share his thoughts, and while I don't recall the subject, I do remember feeling proud of how he spoke with a calm clarity, warmth and caring strength. I can still remember sitting in my seat, looking up as Ed spoke. There is a famous Norman Rockwell image of a man standing up in a crowd to address an issue and whenever I see that painting I'm reminded of Uncle Ed's speaking at that church meeting.

The next week of that trip we went on a car-camping adventure that was wonderful! On one particular morning, while the rest of the family stayed in camp, Uncle Ed and I got up early to go fishing. We had a great hike to a beautiful lake where he positioned me in the perfect spot to catch the absolutely best fish! It was a typically thoughtful act where Ed drew on his understanding, knowledge and awareness to create a very special experience for someone else.

Ed's love of others, his love of God, his love of nature and his giving to others in a quiet, understated, genuine way these are lasting memories of Uncle Ed.

Mary Lynn, Jack and Ellie join me in sending our love, sympathy, prayers and support to Aunt Melba, Lon, Alice - and all your family.

Tonight at 7PM, our family will be joining with my parents, Ed's younger brother Don (90) and his wife Virginia, to have a ceremony in Palo Alto California to honor, remember and express our gratitude for the life of Ed Fitton.

John Fitton

July 2, 2015

Darlene Green

If you look in a dictionary for the word Gentleman, it will have Ed's picture as the true meaning. He and Melba were so in love, one glance told you that. Everyone will miss his smile.

July 1, 2015

Anne Riddle

A Favored Brother In-Law... My earliest memory of Ed, was how romantic he was to have proposed to my sister, Melba. He'd asked her to marry her up on Saw Tooth, a high peak in the Sierras. In my pre-teen years for me, this was the greatest of stories. Later, I came to know him as kind, gentle, and lovably helpful... Being able to fix anything that needed repairing. And what made him ever so special, was his patience, and never judgmental towards anyone. Those who came to know him, could sense his close relationship to family and friends. But most of all, the love he had for his Lord and Savior, Jesus... And I know he is safe at home now.
Loving prayers to the Fitton's, and all their extended family. May God bless, comfort, and give His peace abundantly.
Anne Riddle

July 1, 2015

Hello sweet family. I share your sorrow with the loss of Ed. I remember the man with love. He was always such fun to be with. He had such a "Fitton" sense of humor. He will surely be missed but he lived such a meaningful life.
Love to all of you,
Rosie and DeWayne Luce

July 1, 2015

David Keys

My Uncle Ed... What a kind and gentle man. I often remember as a child, watching his eyes staring off in distant and deep thoughts, unshared or unknown. Obviously far beyond a little boy's understanding. But as I grew older, I recall engaging conversations and subjects of his interest. And the smiles from his face when if fortunate enough to capture his amusement... Or laughter, if something was found comical between the two of us. One especially fond memory, on a visit I pulled out my guitar and some traditional folk music sheets, with the chords and lyrics. I played and sang for him for a while and he said, "You know, that's very good... But to be perfectly honest, I never cared much for guitar music until I saw a John Denver concert one time.Then I had a different perspective." To me that meant a very favored compliment, although I knew my talent would never match someone whose life was cut short all too soon. Uncle Ed was and will always be in my cherished memories. A man of many accomplishments, and a fine example to all. God bless you, dear Uncle Ed... Heaven is now your home instead.
Your nephew, David.
To the entire family, I wish to express my prayers and deepest sympathy.

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