H. Curtis Pitts inscription on his tombstone reads:
Our Beloved Father
Who We Will Truly Miss
His Greatest Wealth Was In His
Generous Heart
And Service To Others
He Served His Country As A Decorated
USAF Fighter Pilot
He Served His Community Building
Troy University Phenix City Campus
Thank You For Your Courage And Inspiration
Harvey Curtis Pitts, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on March 31, 2010.
VALLEY, AL— Lt. Col. Harvey Curtis Pitts, Jr. Ed. D., 75 of Valley, AL passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2010, in Charlotte, NC.
Born to parents Lt. Col. Harvey Curtis Pitts, Sr. and Sara Booth Pitts, Dr. Pitts is survived by a son, Curt Pitts; his mother, Charlotte Skelton; three daughters, Melissa Komitor (Dan), Sara Nicholson, and Christy Jowers (Russ Gay), and their mother, Janice Henderson; one granddaughter, Katie Nicholson; three grandsons, Johnny Nicholson, Alex Komitor and Sam Komitor; one sister, Belle P. Lee (Gentry); and two brothers, Charles Pitts (Cynthia) and Joe Pitts and wife, Kathryn Ness. Dr.
Pitts served his country for 20 years in the US Air Force where he graduated first in his class in five of the nine schools he attended. He was a decorated U.S Air Force officer and fighter pilot who was a recipient of a Silver Star for combat duty in Vietnam. Among many other awards, he also received a Bronze Star and the Barry Goldwater “Top Gun” Award and served with the Joint Chiefs of Staff as an Action Officer.
In 1975, after his retirement from the Air Force, Dr. Pitts founded the Phenix City Campus of Troy State University. Under his leadership the campus has grown to nearly 2000 students and is one of Troy’s four thriving campuses in Alabama today. He graduated from Auburn University with a Doctorate in Administration and Supervision. He received an MBA from Georgia State University and a BS degree from Troy State University.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. EST Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at Epworth United Methodist Church (3763 Hwy 431 S. Phenix City, AL 36867) with Rev. Grant Parker officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at 2 p.m. EST at Pittsview Cemetery, Pittsview, AL 36871. The family will receive friends at Vance Memorial Chapel (3738 Hwy 431 N. Phenix City, 36867) from 5 to 8 p.m. EST Monday, April 5, 2010.
In Lieu of flowers, the family request donations are made to your choice of: Troy University Foundation (Identify the donation as: in Memory of H. Curtis Pitts) Attention Kathy Ninas One University Place Phenix City, AL 36869 Pittsview Cemetery P.O.Box 127 Pittsview, Al 36871 Epworth United Methodist Church 3763 Highway 431 S. Phenix City, Al. 36867
