Thomas Ladd Pitts II

Hampton - Thomas Ladd Pitts II, 86, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, at the Franklin General Hospital Nursing Facility in Hampton.
He was born on Feb. 19, 1926, to Thomas Ladd Pitts and Mabel Irene Potts Pitts. Tom attended school in Madison, Ala., and graduated as Valedictorian in 1944. He worked for two years to earn college money. He enrolled at Alabama Polytechnical Institute now called Auburn University. He was business manager for the ag college magazine. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
Tom met Susan Jane Roush, a local school teacher, in Hillsboro, Ohio. They were married on Sept. 23, 1951, at Jane's parents' home by the Rev. Paul Jones.
In 1969, they came to Hampton, to join Farmers Hybrid. After Farmers Hybrid was sold to Monsanto, Tom joined Joe Pitsor and they formed North Central Reality. In 1973, Joe Pitsor formed his Farm Management Business. Tom and Jane started Tom Pitts Realty and worked there until they retired.
The Methodist Church was important to Tom and Jane. Tom's last job was chair of the Iowa United Methodist Foundation. Tom was a 50-year member of Rotary and earned the Paul Harris Fellow award . He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a member of Forum, Hampton Housing Board and Hampton Development.
Tom was president of the Hampton Chamber when RAGBRAI made its first ride through Hampton. Tom worked hard to get the Convention Center and to get the old hospital rehab for senior housing. He especially enjoyed being a football sideliner, for Hampton-Dumont High School, until his hearing failed.
He loved his family, especially his grandsons. When life was getting tough they could lift his spirits with some of their art work in the mail or a visit on the phone.
Tom is survived by his wife, Jane, of Hampton, beloved daughter Jennifer Jane and her husband, Todd Hutchison, and grandsons Thomas Alden and Owen Todd of Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.
Funeral services will be Monday, Oct. 29, at 10:30 a.m., at the Hampton United Methodist Church in Hampton. Visitation will be held Sunday, Oct. 28, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton, Iowa. Burial will take place at the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton, Iowa. Pastor Corby Jo Johnson will be officiating.
www.sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com; 641-456-3232.