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JOHN LITZ Jr.

JOHN LITZ Obituary

John William Litz, Jr. A Life of Service John Litz, a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather, passed away November 24, 2010 after a short, but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. His honorable life was filled with love, lots of laughs from his witty sense of humor and a life that exemplified serving others. John was born October 1st, 1953 to John W. Litz and Clara Rivas Litz Garcia in Durango, Colorado. He was the second oldest of four siblings: Gary, Debbie and Rob. He was known to his family as "Kicker". He was a brother who would help any of his family at a moment's notice and had a deep love for all of them. As a young man, he served the country honorably in the United States Army from 1976-1980 where he was stationed in Germany. He met Natalee Elzinga after his Army service and began a life together that was filled with so many great memories. They were married November 30, 1985. Their life was filled with laughs that John liked to be the cause of. His wit and humor is something we will all miss going forward. During the trials of life, John was a steady and powerful foundation for the family. He was a role model to his children and others around him by the way he lived his life. His hard work, unassuming devotion and perseverance to achieving goals influenced all those who knew him. He loved attending the children's sporting events and had a great love of the nature all around us. He loved his years working at L-3 Communications as a design drafter and enjoyed the many associations he had. He is survived by wife, Natalee; daughters, Codi, who is currently serving an LDS mission in the Philippines, Jamee (Roger Leach) and Micala (Cesar Delgadillo); sons, Travis (Patty) Colledge, Eric (Kathy Jo) Colledge, and four grandchildren; mother Clara, brothers Gary, Rob and sister, Debbie (Doug) Sherwood. Preceded in death by his father, John Litz. Funeral services will be held November 30th, 2010 at the Redwood Memorial, 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held November 29th, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Nov. 28, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN LITZ

26 Entries

Guy Parker

November 22, 2019

I really enjoyed working with John at L3. He was soft spoken, interested in others, a friend, easy to work with and quick to get the job done.

Guy Parker

December 1, 2010

I enjoyed working with John at L-3. He was always great to work with and did everything he could to make it easier for the next person. He was a great friend. I will miss him. My heart goes out to you. It is never easy to loose the presence of one you love so much. It was a blessing to know him.

P.S. Jesse Peterson sits next to me at work. He said he use to work with Nattalee.

Steve Mlaker

December 1, 2010

Natalee and family, as a close worker to John for many years, I can truly say he was not only a person one could readily rely on, but a peacekeeper as well. His wry sense of humor will be sorely missed. May the good Lord bless and keep you during this trying time.

Roger Lindsay

December 1, 2010

My sincere condolances go to the family - may God be with you at this trying time. As a coworker and friend I will miss this gentile giant who would do anything for anybody.

Maria Rivers

December 1, 2010

Natalee and family,sorry to hear about your loss of such a wonderful and giving and helpful person. I have known John for a few years at L3,I will never forget how caring he was when I lost my brother to the same illness, am glad that he is not suffering any more. Our prayers are with you and your family. God bless.

Jeremy Adams

December 1, 2010

John was a kind soul who helped out whenever he was needed. He will be sorely missed at L-3.

Leon Eddy

November 30, 2010

I had the distinct priviledge of working with John on and off over the years at L3. All of the kind things already expressed about him are true, He had a wonderful disposition and was a warm and helpful coworker. I'll miss our short hallway conversations and future opportunities of working together. My prayers are with you all.

Bob Engle

November 30, 2010

Natalee, I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family. I was just told this morning about the passing of your husband. I wish I could be there to give you more support but work has me living in Arizona now.

Bryce Allen

November 30, 2010

Sorry to hear of our loss of John. It has been a real honor to have been able to know and associate with such an individual as John. He will be missed her at L-3 as I am sure in many other places and in people's hearts. God be with all his family and loved one's during this time of loss.

Paul Rogers

November 30, 2010

I will miss John he was a great guy and a great artist. I know he is now drawing plans for the Father upstairs.
Paul Rogers L-3 communications

Aunt Cordy & Uncle Lloyd Vallejos

November 29, 2010

I am so sorry to hear of Kicker's passing. I haven't seen him for a long time, but I will always remember and feel his loss in my heart. My prayers and sympathy goes out to the family.

Michelle Neylan-Henderson

November 29, 2010

Natalee,
I also wanted to let you and your family know that our family-Michelle, Khris and Syd- is thinking of all of you right now and I am so sorry for your loss.
I know Kicker meant a lot to LauraLee, and so he meant a lot to her family. I also remember the stories she would tell about Reb and her playing "war" with their cousins.
I am proud to be a part of the Litz family and hope that their memories will continue to live on through our children.

Teresa Aguiar

November 29, 2010

I was deeply saddened to hear of Kickers passing. I remember the Rivas's men (Uncle Fred, Gary, Rob, & Kecker) visiting our house when my Uncle Fred & Aunt Betty would come to Utah. Can I just say "What a fun-loving family". You are in my prayers at this time of sorrow. Please know how much you are loved and how deeply your loss is felt by all.

Tiffany

November 29, 2010

Hello Natalee, Jamee and Codi. Mia and I wanted to let all of you know how much your family means to us even though we're a state apart. I won't forget all of the visits through the years and even more so, I won't forget the stories I heard from my Mom and Mary about John being a kid and all the fun they had together back then. Most of all, I will always appreciate what John and your family did for Mary. It meant so much to me to have you here at that time. Let's try to keep in touch more because family is what matters most.

Jim Stewart

November 29, 2010

John was like a household name at L3, the guy you went to for anything related to mechanical fixtures, etc, and everyone knew him. It was amazing how fast he got things done. I wish to express condolences to his family and I'm sorry for their loss.

William Dohle

November 29, 2010

John worked for me at L-3 Communications back in the 90's. He was an outstanding draftsman. He helped design many test stands. I am sorry for your loss Natalee. You and our family will be in our prayers.

Kevin Dearing

November 28, 2010

Natalee, sorry for your loss. You have a great family. I wish the best for you in all things. I want you to know we are thinking about you and your family. You and your family will be in our prayers.

Mike Vogt

November 28, 2010

Natalee and family,

As you know, I've known John for nearly twenty years and have worked right along side with him for about 14 years. Life would have been more difficult for me were it not for him. I shall never forget my friend who has proven himself to be such time and time again.

I will miss him and his dry sense of humor. We've shared a ton of laughs through the years and as I got to know him better I realized how both of us had a certain type of humor that would only amuse those that were possessors of a twisted mind.

Thanks Natalee and kids. You've always been here for me.
Thanks for the good memories.

My heartfelt condolences but with a sense of relief that my dear friend isn't suffering any longer.

It's been a rough road.

Jo "Anna" Jacobson Rothe

November 28, 2010

When I was 12 years old, my family had just had a major disaster, which lead me to live with my sister who lived in the same neighborhood as John and Natalee. John was the one person in that neighborhood that took it upon himself to take me under his wing and give me the self esteem that I needed at such a crucial time in my life. I know that people are placed in your path of life for a reason and John came on my path at a time in my life that I needed to be lifted to set me on the path that I have taken. I owe such gratitude to John for his kindness and love for believing in me when I didn't even believe in myself. Natalee, thank you so much for sharing John with our family. Thank you so much for your love for me. For trusting me with your children when I baby sat and for being that "family" that I didn't have at that time. I know we haven't seen each other for many years now, but believe me you didn't leave my heart. I will always have a special place in my heart for John and Natalee. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME. I LOVE YOU FOREVER!

May our dear Father hold you in his loving arms during this hard time. My favorite saying is "The best way to have Heaven on Earth is to have a special Someone in Heaven". May you feel the love of Heaven in your home at this time and forever more.

I love you!

Sharon Record

November 28, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family now and always. I'm sorry I never had the pleasure of meeting John.
With much love and God Bless you all, Sharon

Kate Mackenzie

November 28, 2010

My dear Natalee,
I entered your life at the time God was preparing to welcome John to His home.

Natalee, while none of us would ask for this task, you accepted it with love, courage , faith and hope. John takes that love with him and will send it back to you in your heart and soul always.

God bless you and hold you in his comforting hands as you continue your life journey.
I send love and offerings of Peace to John's family, loved ones, and all friends honored to have known him.

November 28, 2010

I was very blessed to get to know you and your family while Johns dad was sick. I'm so sorry to hear this horrible news,Natalee. My prayers are with you and your family in this time of sadness. Jacqueline Du Priest

Kathy Montoya

November 28, 2010

It is not easy to lose someone we love. We will always have them on our minds and in our hearts. But you will always have the memories and the love will never end. Take this time to be with family and friends and allow them to be there and help you through this time in your life. God Bless you and your family.
Kathy Montoya (Kearns, UT)

Bob Andersen

November 28, 2010

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

November 28, 2010

Jamee, Natalee, Codi and all of the family...I am very sorry to hear about John. My heart is broken. I know how much you all love him and how much he loves you. There are no words that can help the extreme pain you are going through but I want you to know that I am thinking about you and I am here for you if you need anything at all.
Sending you the biggest hug and love always~
Tiffany

Charlie Day

November 28, 2010

As a little girl John and Natalee were always a second pair of parents to me. I love all the many memories I have at the Litz house, I will never forget John and Natalee helping Cody and I into pillow cases and helping us onto the trampoline. I will truly cherish all the weekends I got to spend with the Litz family. I will always miss and remember John; our heavenly father truly has one of the world finest men up there with him now. My heart and prayers will forever be with the Litz and Colledge family.

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