Pensacola, Florida
1929 - 2014 (Age 84)
Dr. James W. Witt
1929-2014
Dr. James W. Witt, Professor Emeritus, 84, of Pensacola passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2014.
Art Doerr was Vice President of the University of West Florida when Jim Witt joined the faculty in the fall of 1977. Thus began a friendship that spanned almost four decades. Dr. Doerr wrote prolifically on many subjects, and this personal essay is an example. With startling clarity, it captures the essence of Jim Witt.
"Jim walks in integrity as rock-ribbed as the mountains of his West Virginia home; he stands as sturdy as its forest-clad slopes; his decency is as clear as its rushing streams. Honor stemmed from the font of decent, caring parents. His gruff exterior was honed by the maleness of the Marine Corps and law enforcement agencies he served. But a core of love and compassion showed through in his more than liberal duty to an aged mother, and I have known his friendship. He knows politics as few do and has the knack of understanding the realities of pragmatism within the context of principle, decency, and honor. His lively intelligence and sense of standards ensures that fakes, charlatans, and political correctness are given short shrift. He has been an academic pioneer bringing real world politics and policy students to aspiring neophytes. Love of kin is reflected in fierce protectiveness. Loyalty to friends is repeatedly manifested by myriad acts of kindness.
My wishes for him are clean mountain air, limitless vistas, sparkling streams, and longed-for solitude. My salute is to a man who understands the meaning of Semper Fidelis, and Duty, Honor, Country. His valedictory stands for all to see. 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'"
Jim USMC Ser. #648046 is survived by his loving wife Penny and daughters Courtney, Jamie, and Tierney.
A Memorial Service was held 11:30am on Friday, March 28, 2014 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 3131 Hyde Park Rd. with Fr. Kevin McQuone celebrant.
Rather than sending flowers, please consider contributing to the Pensacola Catholic High School Memorial Fund, 3043 W. Scott St., Pensacola, FL 32505.
Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits
I have often thought of Jim and Penney. Jim was one of a kind and I respected him deeply and Penney added balance to their marriage. I was very fond of them and their daughters and considered them good friends.
Connie Crosby
March 23, 2020 | Pensacola, FL | Friend
I was once a student of Dr. Witts at UWF back in 1998-2001. I always fondly remembered him and his ornery ways. I'll never forget him for both the energy he put into our lectures (even at 8am!!) and how he was incredibly funny, even if he wasn't trying!
He had a great deal to do with how my love for Political Science developed.
I'm very saddened by his passing and send my condolences to his loved ones.
Allen Borrelli
May 01, 2014 | The Hague
Dearest Family of Dr. Witt--Please excuse me for taking this long to write. I, too, wish to offer my deepest condolences to your family on the death of your beloved husband and father. What stood out to me in the obituary was that you quoted the kindest "boss" I ever had--VP for Academic Affairs, the late Dr. Arthur Doerr. Obviously, he and Dr. Witt were great friends and colleagues. Dr. Witt was also a friend to Dr. Doerr's Admistrative Assistant, Mrs. Evelyn Grosse (my Supervisor) and...
Lucia Howe
April 26, 2014 | Pensacola
I enjoyed working with Jim Witt over the past 30 years at UWF. He was influential in helping us acquire some major research collections such as the papers of Congressman Bob Sikes, also the papers of Art Doerr, Provost Emeritus of UWF. Our archival collections on the people of West Florida abound with other examples of people and politicians whose history, legacy, and papers we've been able to preserve because Jim sent them this way. His Dirksen-Taft Institute was a crown jewel for UWF and...
Dean DeBolt
April 02, 2014 | Pensacola, FL
It was in the early '80's that I came to know Dr. Witt. Like Dr. Witt, I had also worked in law enforcement but was moving on to the business world after obtaining a graduate degree at UWF. Sharing a bit of common background, we bonded.
As I look back from a subsequent career in the business world, I find that most American business people do not grasp the nexus between those worlds; the world of the courts and of the street, and the world of business. Where business people see...
Paul Buse
April 02, 2014 | Cantonment, FL
Mike McGovern
The McGovern's of Seattle learned of Jim's passing over the weekend after speaking with my mother Joan. We share in the Witt families' grief and send our condolences. We are praying for the repose of Jim's soul and that his family members' grieving can be lessened by the teachings of our Lord Jesus' plans for Jim and for us in eternity.
My parents were good friends with Jim and I appreciated getting to know him and his wife Penny and family during my visits to Pensacola over these last...
March 31, 2014
My deepest sympathy to Penny and family.
Aunt Mary
March 28, 2014 | Wheeling, WV
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of my long time friend, Jim Witt. I had known Jim more than 40 years, beginning in the 1960s when I recruited him from California to teach American Constitutional Law at Clemson University.
Jim's background made him uniquely well qualified to teach that subject. It was his primary area in his graduate school studies leading to his PhD. But beyond that, Jim's service as in law enforcement, especially his work on a vice squad, gave him a...
Walt Owens
March 28, 2014 | Clemson, SC
To Penny and Family
We are truly sadden to learn of Jim's passing. It was indeed our privilege to have known him. He was a great friend to Dad, I think they were from the same mold. I am certain that they are sitting in heaven having a great time.
God bless
Mark,Vanessa,and Noni Whitman
Mark Whitman
March 28, 2014 | Pensacola, FL
