Dennis Frederick Hitzing

1952 - 2023

Dennis Frederick Hitzing, 70, loving son, brother, father, grandfather and friend passed away unexpectedly, and far too soon, on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Loudon County.

Dennis was born June 17, 1952, in Jacksonville, Fla., to Dewey Carmi and Leona Hudson Hitzing, the third of their five children. He was a 1970 graduate of Paxon High School and 1974 graduate of the University of West Florida, where he majored in social work and was the foster parent and counselor to a household of troubled teens. He started his career in the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier and quickly advanced to postal inspector. Dennis moved for his career with the USPS from Jacksonville to Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Knoxville. He found his forever home on Melton Hill Lake in Lenoir City.

Dennis is survived by his four daughters and sons-in-law, Kelly Hitzing and William Perry of Miami, Fla., Katie Hitzing of Canton, Ga., Ali and Justin Robinson of Chattanooga and Jessie Hitzing and Lorn Smith of Littleton, Colo.; beloved grandchildren, Hazel Perry-Hitzing (age 3.5), Chloe Robinson (3), Quinn Smith (1) and Camden Robinson (10 months and named after her Papa Dennis); siblings, Sherry Dewberry of Jacksonville, Doug (Judy) Hitzing of Jacksonville, Jeff (Resa) Hitzing of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Maggie (Mike) Ward of Daytona Beach; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends, Ellen Hitzing of Farragut, Gail and Richard Turpen of Jacksonville and Lysa Hitzing of Lenoir City.

Dennis was preceded in death by his loving parents, Dewey and Leona; brother-in-law, Michael J. Dewberry; and grandson, Brooks Robinson.

After his retirement from the USPS in 2008, Dennis spent his time on various hobbies and passions. He enjoyed time on the lake, traveling with loved ones and on mission trips, taking classes such as tennis and Spanish at the local community college (which took him on a study abroad to Cuba), keeping in touch with his high school classmates (which included most recently attending his 50th reunion in 2021), managing, coordinating and serving at the Helping Hands local food pantry and memorializing family history on Find a Grave online. However, more than anything else, he loved spending time with his family - his siblings and their spouses, his daughters and sons-in-law and, most recently, his grandchildren. His life changed forever when he became "Papa Dennis." His five grandchildren were his greatest joy, and he was adored by them. His legacy of love for family, serving the community and being a lifelong learner will live on in their hearts forever.