JAMES HARVEY PITTS Jr.

James Harvey Pitts Jr. was born March 13, 1931, and passed away on January 17, 2011, in Spokane, Washington, after a brief illness. Jim was born in Forsythe, Missouri, to James and Bernice Pitts. He was the youngest of four children.

Jim served in the Army from 1952-54. After finishing his commitment to the Army, he worked as a television repairman. Later he served as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Othello, WA. He loved to tell stories about all these times in his life.

Jim married Verla Jean Klofkorn and her two children Mike and Lisa in 1960, and spent much of that time in Sacramento, California. They later moved to Othello Washington. After Verla died, Jim married Carol Jones in 1968 and added Patty, Jim, Michael Jay, and Sheri into his life. They divorced in 1978. Jim met Linda Baldwin at an Eagles dance in Othello, and were married in 1984 in Connell. He added Colleena, Anna and James into his heart as his children. Jim and Linda moved to Hatton, Washington, in 1985.

Jim served as mayor of Hatton and as a councilmember until his death.

Jim retired in 1993, perfect timing for the local children's museum, as he volunteered to serve as the lead supervisor for the construction of the new location at the former Richland Community House. He drove from Hatton every day for three weeks to help the museum open as quickly as possible. Today, you can still visit the museum now located in Pasco, and see many of the exhibits he helped build, or bring from other children's museums.

Jim loved to paint, go camping and ride his Trike. These last few years he and his 'boys'- Don Wheeler and Terry Quandt formed the Dusty Dogs, and could be seen riding the local roads on their motorcycles. Their favorite trip was to Republic, Washington in 2008.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents James and Bernice Pitts, brother John, sisters Betty and Nancy. He is survived by wife Linda Pitts of Hatton, and children Mike (Susan) Dickinson, Lisa Montague, Colleena (Dale) Alexander, Anna Godinez, James Baldwin, Patti Robinson, Jim Higney, Michael Jay McCarthy, Sheri Sanchez. Grandchildren Tabitha (Jason) Celski, Mindy Alexander, Roth (Rachel) Alexander, Christopher Tyrell, Alexander and Zachary Conrad, Jessica (Travis) Buckholz, Joshua Scott, James Baldwin Jr., David, Danny, and Shelley Dickinson, Jason and Amy Montague, Marcus Janke and Alex Robinson, Angie Higney, Niki and Joe Sanchez. Great-grandchildren Landon and Blake Celski, and Rylee and Raelynn Alexander. There were numerous nieces and nephews as well.

Jim, aka Papa, will be missed beyond measure. He was a loving, kind, helpful soul and even in death he will continue to help people. Papa wanted to be an organ donor, but due to his illness was unable to donate his organs. Instead, his body was donated to cancer research.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 22, at 11 a. m. in Connell, WA, at the LDS Church. A luncheon will be served after. A fund is being set up to help with expenses.