R.E. "Skip" Pitts

Ralph Edward "Skip" Pitts was a man defined by his deep faith, generous heart and devotion to family. He was received into the arms of God on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the age of 67, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born in Marshall, Texas, in 1957, Skip was the youngest child of James Dudley and Ruth Naomi Pitts. He spent his youth adventuring in East Texas, doing the usual things boys do...building forts, plotting escapades, and occasionally blowing up a bee's nest with firecrackers. It was there he discovered baseball. His talent on the diamond led him from Marshall High School to a scholarship at Texas A&M, where he continued his passion for America's favorite pastime. Later in life, he shared his love of the game as a coach for the Evergreen High School baseball team.

After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, Skip began his professional life with a Texas-based engineering firm. He spent a short stint in Los Angeles working for Warner Brothers before moving to Colorado, where he spent the next 30 years as a respected leader in the construction industry. His colleagues admired his intellect, strong work ethic and willingness to help when anyone needed it.

More than any professional achievement, Skip's greatest pride was his family. As a loving father to his daughters, Ali and Katie, he filled their lives with humor and support. Ali recalls her dad's love of '70s music that became the soundtrack of their youth. Every family road trip started with ZZ Top's "La Grange." Katie remembers receiving surprise "notes from the principal's office" that covertly whisked her away for a baseball game with her dad. He was always armed with binoculars, whether for watching the weather or observing birds. He would spend late nights with a telescope, exploring the cosmos and teaching his daughters everything he knew about space. Skip was also a doting Papa to his granddaughter, Lydia, with whom he shared a special bond over "science stuff." Together, they spent hours chalk drawing, tracking planes on his app, and cracking geodes. Skip's sister, Bonnie, may have been his biggest fan when it came to humor. Their frequent calls often ended with tears of laughter.

Skip's greatest joy was spending time with his beloved wife, Sara. When he met her, he truly found a gift and loved exploring the world with her, having new adventures including parasailing, zip lining and thrill rides. One of his favorite songs was Bill Wither's "Lovely Day." If you know the lyrics, you know how much he loved her. He was so loved by Sara's family and looked forward to visits with them in Wisconsin.

Skip's faith was a constant in his life. Whether starting his day with morning prayers or reading a passage from the Bible he kept in his truck before work, his spiritual foundation guided every action.

He was an outdoorsman who loved fly fishing and hunting with his brother Donnie, and friends. On a memorable outing with Sara's brother-in-law, Pete, Skip caught his first ever muskie, a 47" trophy fish. His passion for the outdoors extended to his volunteer work with Project Healing Waters where he spent years helping veterans with outdoor therapy.

Skip was a hands-on kind of guy who loved projects. Everyone in the neighborhood knew he was just a phone call away to lend a hand replacing a showerhead, cutting up a fallen tree limb, or even dog-sitting. Acts of selflessness and generosity like these were second nature to him because it was simply in his heart to help others.

Sara's sister, Sue, once said that everyone needs a Skip Pitts in their life. Truer words were never spoken. His kindness and generosity knew no end. His dedication to work and family was second to none. Skip's final gift to his family and friends are the countless memories of the times and experiences we were all lucky to share. We will miss him greatly.

He is survived by his wife, Sara, (CO); his daughters Ali Cole (TX), and Katie Pitts and granddaughter, Lydia, (CO). He also leaves behind a sister, Bonnie Barrington (Joe) (TX); a sister-in-law, Patty Pitts (TX); and Sara's sisters Sue (Jon), Sharon (Pete), and her mom, Donna. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruth, and his brother, Donnie.

A celebration of Skip's life will be held at a future time. A memorial will also be established. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Project HealingWaters (https://projecthealingwaters.org/).