John R. "J.R." Ebbitt

John Richard Ebbitt, also known as "J.R." to his family and friends, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the age of 63. He was born on June 12, 1960 in Braddock, Pennsylvania to John and Jane Ebbitt.
J.R. graduated from the University of Dayton and paid 100% of his way through his undergraduate program. Getting his B.S. in marketing in 1982, he joined Bonbright Distributing in Dayton, Ohio. In 1984 he married Katheirne Ullman and continued at University of Dayton to complete his MBA in December 1985. During his college days, as well as high school, JR was a great Rugby player. He was so good that he was being scouted by professional teams as was even contacted by the New Zealand All Blacks team.
In 1985, at 29 years old, Bonbright purchased a small distributorship in Virginia. The owner turned that over to J.R. as President and he and Kathy moved to Virginia. J.R. turned the distributorship around so quickly, Bonbright bought a second distributorship a year later in Danville, Virginia, which sold during a Miller Brewery Consolidation of their wholesale network. He was also a member of the Virginia Beer & Wine Wholesalers.
J.R. was a self-made man who lived his life with intensity and passion in everything he set his mind to, and worked to achieve success in whatever he chose to do. He worked to a level and standard of excellence which kept extreme pressure on him. J.R. had a large presence he displayed, whether in his size and stature, or in everything he did. He loved big and he lived big. He worked very hard to do whatever he thought was expected of him. J.R. was a fiercely loyal husband and friend.
J.R. was the ultimate "Beerman". He loved the product portfolio at Gulf Distributing Company, where he was employed in a management position since 1999. He proudly represented his company and in his off time helped a little with "personal quality control".
J.R. was very creative and was even written up in the Wall Street Journal for the products he bought into his market and his fun and innovative ways of introducing these products to the consumer population.
In 1998, he landed an opportunity in Montrose, Alabama and was never happier than living in lower Alabama. He loved his involvement with the Shadow Barons, the St. Paddy's Daddies, and all the great opportunities for loving his best life on the Gulf Coast.
J.R. was an avid sports fan. He was obsessed with the Pittsburg Steelers. He was currently totally invested in watching his alma mater UD Flyers in their pursuit of NCAA selection.
A life gone suddenly far too soon but surrounded by loving friends in a community where he and his wife, Kathy, had built their lives. We're hoping he finds out soon whether God really is a Steelers fan, as he claimed. What a wonderful life this big guy enjoyed.
J.R. is preceded in death by his parents, John F. Ebbitt and Jane Marszalek Ebbitt; his grandparents, Stanley and Regina Marszalek; and his mother-in-law, who he loved dearly, Doris Ullman; and his beloved dogs, Kacee, Pablo and Tasha Elena Margolis.
He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Katherine Irene Ullman Ebbitt; his siblings, Jeff Ebbitt (Jody), Joe Ebbitt (Honey) and Janine Ebbitt Montgomery; 5 godchildren; 21 nieces and nephews on both sides of the family; 3 great nephews; 1 great niece, all of whom he loved and cherished as his own; his beloved aunts and uncles in Pittsburg; his beloved dog, Buggs; as well as other family members and many friends.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Daphne, Alabama, at 11AM. There will be a time of visitation prior to the service in the Assumption Hall at Christ the King at 10AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in his name to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give or to Thomas Hospital's Cardiology Unit at https://www.infirmaryhealth.org/foundations/thomas-hospital-foundation/
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.