Alex Luther Pitts

Alex Luther “A.L.” Pitts, age 82, of Chanute, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kansas. A.L. was born on June 30, 1935 in San Antonio, TX the son of Alex and Easter G. (Gaudern) Pitts. A.L. graduated from Edison High School in San Antonio in 1954. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1955 until 1963, specializing in Military Law. He was stationed at the US Naval Air Station at Boca Chica Key, Florida. While there he flew to Havana, Cuba; Porta Prince, Haiti; Kingston, Jamaica and the British West Indies. He was aboard the USS Huntington DD781 and went to Europe four times, going to Rotterdam, Brussels, Belgium for the World’s Fair, the Hague to the Queen’s Palace. He also went the Belfast, Ireland, the Northern Atlantic to test for endurance of ship, then going to the Arctic Circle, receiving a “Blue Nose” Certificate. He then transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas and then transferred to New Orleans where he served aboard the USS Tripoli (TCVU-64). He then went twice to Europe, to the Mediterranean, the Rock of Gilbraltor, Beirut, Lebanon and brought a helicopter squad to Naples, Italy then went to Bermahauvan, Germany. A.L. was united in marriage to Sharlena Faye Everly on December 21, 1960 in Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on March 21, 2007. A.L. went to Pinsetter’s school and worked as an Class A Mechanic in San Antonia. He then went to California and managed for Ronnie Gaudern at Columbia Bowl and Western Columbia Bowl. As a family, they decided to move back to Chanute in 1985 and purchase Four Seasons Floral which they owned and operated for 29 years. A.L. was a life-time member of the American Legion and the V.F.W.; a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church and a member of the Golden Clipper Saddle Club. He enjoyed horseback riding, watching professional bull-riders and bulls, baseball, dancing, music, bowling, driving his 57 Chevy, and landscaping. A.L. is survived by: Children: Tracey Cook (Richard) of Elsmore, KS Alex J. Pitts (Brenda) of Chanute, KS Scott W. Pitts of Pittsburg, KS Valerie D. Moore (Steve) of Chanute, KS Sisters: CoraMae Whitney of Star Lake City, NY Debbie Hughes of Erie, KS Georgia Wille of Chanute, KS 15 Grandchildren 22 Great Grandchildren Many Nieces and Nephews A.L. was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sharlena; a son, Ricci L. Pitts; brother, Ronnie L. Gaudern; great grandson, Brayden Linn Ludlum; his grandparents and uncle and aunt, George and Lorraine Gaudern. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home – Johnson Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Chanute, KS. Interment will following at Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute. Chanute Honor Guard will be in charge of military honors. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Memorials have been suggested to the Otterbein United Methodist Church and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home, 101 N Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.

Alex Luther Pitts

June 30, 1935 - July 19, 2017