Forest Jay Pitts, 100, formerly of Hutchinson, died May 16, at Newton Presbyterian Manor, Newton.
He was born April 30, 1923, in Jetmore, Kans., to Charles and Sarah Paton (Freerksen) Pitts.
As a child, Forest had a shoe shine stand in Whitman’s Barber Shop as well as at the Sale Barn on sale days. During high school, he worked at Jones Drug Store.
Forest graduated from Dodge City High School in 1941.
Forest served in the United States Army from 1943-46, seeing action at the Battle of the Bulge, the Rhineland, and in central Europe.
During a furlough, Forest married Bonnie Obenhaus. They had four sons.
After service, the Pitts family moved to Ulysses where Forest was co-owner of Pitts & Burk Shoes until 1973. Bonnie died in 1961.
In 1963, Forest married Esther Amerine. They had a daughter.
In 1969, he married Margaret Hager who died in 1996.
In 1997, Forest married Betty Daugherty. She survives.
Forest was interested in the Stock market, pheasant hunting, fishing, remodeling real estate, RVing, Royals baseball, the Chiefs and KU basketball.
Forest is survived by his wife, Betty Pitts, Frankfort, Kans.; daughter, Lisa Shaun Pitts Buchanan (and partner), Newton; sons: Larry Dean Pitts (and partner), Blue Springs, MO, Randy Craig Pitts of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Alan Roger Pitts of Newton; step-daughter, Sharon Hager Sellens, Wasilla, Alaska; 10 grandchildren; 13 and one on the way great-grandchildren; and brother, Orrin Pitts of Hutchinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wives: Bonnie and Margaret; son, Richard; brothers: Lloyd, Roy, Carl, Charlie and Leo; and a sister, Cleo.
Funeral service was Thursday May 18, at Grace Episcopal Church in Hutchinson, with Father Larry Carver officiating.
Burial was Friday May 19, in Ulysses Cemetery. Military honors were conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard at the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project or The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
