Obituary: Eldon Lowell Pitts

Eldon Lowell Pitts

Eldon Lowell Pitts

Eldon Lowell Pitts passed away on March 12, 2014, in Kingman, Ariz., with his wife of 52 years, Sherrol Ann (Bennett) Pitts, at his bedside.

Eldon was born in Ray, Ariz., on Dec. 10, 1942, to Leslie and Margaret Pitts. The Pitts family relocated to Prescott, Ariz., and Eldon graduated from Prescott High School as part of the Class of 1960.

On Sept. 29, 1961, Eldon and Sherrol eloped and were wed in St. George, Utah. From there, a life journey of family, love, and commitment began, raising four children, 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two more great-grandchildren on the way. In their early marriage, Eldon worked construction, eventually coming to Kingman in 1972 as project manager for Queen Creek Industries, the original developer of Valle Vista subdivision located east of Kingman, where he was instrumental in the creation and development of the golf course and community park areas and roadways.

When their children were young, the Pitts family spent most of their spare time on Lake Mead, where Eldon could be seen driving the bright yellow Ranger Daycruiser, originally named Sherrol Ann I (later Just One More), and, as times changed, their family pontoon boat. He was always quick to help a fellow boater or family, and enjoyed fishing and sightseeing up the Colorado River.

From 1983 to 1988, Eldon and Sherrol were the proprietors of the Longbranch Saloon on Airway Avenue. After the sale of the Longbranch, Eldon and Sherrol formed Pitts & Son Construction, where for several years they were general contractors, building both custom and spec homes.

Eldon was a craftsman who was very humble about his talents, over the years creating silver and stone jewelry, handcrafted furniture, and custom-inlaid wooden and turquoise golf clubs and riding stirrups. He loved Sherrol and their family above all else, but second to them, he was an avid golfer, and also enjoyed fishing, race cars, bright yellow vehicles, reading on his Kindle, and in later years keeping up with his young grandchildren on Facebook.

Eldon leaves behind a legacy of love and family. He is predeceased by his father and mother, Leslie and Margaret Pitts, and is survived by his wife, Sherrol Pitts of Kingman; his brother, Marvin (and De) Pitts of Prescott; his four children, Teri (Paul) Harnisch of Phoenix, Tracy (Steve) Anderson of Litchfield Park, Ariz., Trini (Dan) Theel of Kingman, and Levi (Leigh) Pitts of Kingman; his 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He will be missed and forever remembered by those fortunate enough to be counted among his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Eldon's memory to Kingman Aid to Abused People (KAAP), 2701 E. Andy Devine Ave., Suite 103A, Kingman AZ 86401, or online at mykaap.org. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Information provided by survivors.


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