David Allan Pitts

David Allan Pitts, 85, died on December 20, 2024, of stroke complications in St. Augustine, Florida. His wife, Stephanie, was at his side.
A Jacksonville native, David Pitts was a graduate of the University of Florida, soon recruited to bring his graphic-design talent to Chicago. He went on to co-found Design Directions before joining major agencies as Art Director on advertising for Fortune 500 companies. At legendary Foote, Cone & Belding, David rose to creative Group Head of the team that produced exceptionally successful ads for the nation's original pizza chain.
Leaving advertising "when it became routine," David and Stephanie moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan, and finally to St. Augustine, making lifelong friends along the way.
David met life head-on. He published three volumes of short stories and one of poetry; went to sea with Jacques Cousteau's son; played violin, piano, French horn; piloted a Mooney, captained a 40-foot sailboat; composed music; competed in foil fencing; skied; created sculpture, oils, collages; traveled the world, studied philosophy from Stoics to Sufis and thrived on spirited debate. He loved Tchaikovsky, Edgar Allan Poe and cats.
He once said, gratefully, "I've done everything I wanted to do."
David was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Horace Pitts, his sister, Page, and "Muzzy," his beloved grandmother. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie (Gigante), sons Alan (Camile), Eric and twin grandchildren, Ava and Jack.
A celebration of David Pitts' life will be announced after the holidays. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome at The American Heart Association or The Stroke Foundation.