Saturday March 2nd, 2013 at home with family and friends at his side, our husband and father Ed Kitts age 89, passed away. Ed was born on May 17, 1923 in Great Falls Montana to Edward Kitts Sr. and Florence Nevins Kitts. Ed lived a full and adventurous life. He was raised in Polson Montana and enjoyed the freedom of his youth in the Flathead Valley. That freedom inspired a free spirit that was admirable to many and sometimes mischievous to others. Ed loved to laugh and have fun; he was a practical joker, kidder and played a lot of tricks on family and friends. He loved his three sisters, Grace, Pauline and Maxine and enjoyed being the youngest as well as the only boy in the family. He attended High School in Polson. Ed joined the Navy in May of 1941with Chauncy Forte and Eli Daves, and his adventures continued when assigned to the USS Enterprise also known as the Grey Ghost of the Oahu Coast. The Enterprise had a remarkable war record and Ed was right in the middle of it, in all his glory. He was attached to Dive Bomber Group 6 and later Dive Bomber Group 10. He received many medals and citations for his service on the USS Enterprise. He was humble about his experiences in WWII. We learned more about the Enterprise in the last few weeks of his life, than he had ever spoken of before. In May, 1995 Ed received Recognition from the US Department of the Navy for his participation on the Enterprise in Task Force 16. This was part of the historical Doolittle Raid or Tokyo Raid on April 18, 1942.
After the war, Ed came back to Montana and settled in Helena. In 1946 Ed joined the Post Office and was a Letter Carrier. There he met Bob Berry and they became best friends. Ed and his best friend Bob Berry were driving down the street and Ed spotted a pretty little red head with great legs and told Bob “I’d sure like to meet that!†Bob said OK and pulled over while Ed protested and couldn’t believe what Bob was doing. He called out to the red head and introduced Ed to his twin sister Roselyn Berry. Two months later Ed and Roselyn were married on July 25, 1947. Ed and Roselyn (“Pinkyâ€) made the most of nearly 65 years together and shared their love of life with their three children, David, Lynn and Nancy. They lost their first baby girl Crystal. Ed took his family on many adventures, camping, hunting, fishing and a summer vacation to some place new every year. Until the very end, Ed enjoyed rides in the mountains, and the Helena Valley. His last adventure was a crazy day in January that was so warm and sunny, that we took a trip up the Wolf Creek Canyon in the beautiful sun. The canyon was never so beautiful that day he said; the sun light on the canyon walls is perfect.
Ed retired from the Post Office in 1966.
From 1961 to 1989 Ed was a Real Estate Broker and owned one half interests in the Real Estate Office in Helena.
From 1963 to 1978, Ed worked with Civil Air Patrol as the Finance Officer for the Montana Wing. He later became Commander of the Helena Comp Squadron and held the Rank of Major.
In 1990, Ed retired totally and continued to enjoy hunting, fishing, flying and traveling. He and Pinky spent many winters on the road in Arizona to soak up the sun.
Ed’s love and sense of adventure lives on through his survivors, wife, Roselyn Berry Kitts of Helena MT, his son David Kitts and his wife Lynne of Elk Grove California, his daughter Lynn Kitts Brown and her husband Ken; and his daughter Nancy Kitts of Houston Texas. Ed is survived by 4 Grand Children, Ryan Kitts, Shawn Brown and Shelly Brown,and Joe Wallach, 4 Great Grand Children: Sheridan Kitts, Logan Brown, Cadyn Brown and Chanley Brown. There are several cousins, nieces and nephews all over the country.
In his immediate family, Ed was the last to arrive on this earth and the last to leave this earth. He will join his family and friends in heaven. Ed is preceded in death by his parents Edward Kitts Sr. and Florence Nevins Kitts; Adel North Kitts, his step mother, his sisters and their husbands, Grace Kitts Kursave and Walt Kursave, Pauline Kitts Mahler and Max Mahler, Maxine Kitts Beaudry and Arden Beaudry, his baby girl Crystal and Great Grandson Tyran Brown. Ed’s in-laws that preceded him in death are his Father and Mother in law Sabine and Margaret Berry, brother in-law Donald and Ann Berry, brother in-law Eugene and Jean Berry, and brother in-law Robert Berry. Robert “Bob†Berry was Pinky’s twin brother.
Cremation has taken place. An 11:00 am Service and reception will be held on Monday March 18, 2013 at the Twichel Funeral Home at 314 N. Rodney Street in Helena Montana. Full Military honors burial at Fort Harrison will follow at 1:00 pm.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider Memorial Donations to:
MD Anderson Cancer Center
P.O. Box 4486
Houston, TX 77210-4486
www.mdanderson.org/gifts
For information on memorial funds, please call 713-792-3450 or 1-800-525-5841.
Please include the name of Edward F. Kitts, the person you wish to honor with your memorial gift.
OR
Disabled American Veterans
https://secure3.convio.net/dav/site/Donation2?6640.donation=form1&df_id=6640
The donation address for Dad is my mail box at the UPS Store:
The Kitts Family
2047 N Last Chance Gulch #160
Helena, Montana 59601
Thank you for your love and support
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Ken and Lynn Brown says
2 files added to the tribute wall
Terry Senecal says
Hugs go out to all of you from the Prout family – sooo many memories of growing up with the Kitts family – Ed will be missed – but just remember – he is doing a lot of catching up with all his friends – the stories they are all going to tell! Our thoughts and prayers are with you… Terry (Prout) and Ed Senecal
Maureen Dineen Fisher says
To My Dearest Roselyn, Nancy, David, Lynn and families,
Sending you all of my Love, Prayers and Blessings. Ed was a very special cousin to me and a wonderful nephew to Daddy and Mother. I have many cherished memories and happy times that were shared with all of you. My big hugs and kisses to my “Pinky” . Please give her all of the love and hugs that you can give her from me. Wish I could be there with all of you. Remembering all of you at this time with my deepest Sympathies!
God bless all of you.
Maureen “Enie” Dineen Fisher
Jen Gill says
Our love and thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time. Ed was such a special part of our lives and he will be in our love and hearts forever. God bless all of you and special love and prayers for our dear Roselyn.
Love always. Jen and Don
Jen and Don Gill says
All our love and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Ed was such a big part of our lives and we will miss him so very much but we will keep him in our hearts forever. God bless you all and special love and hugs to our dear Roselyn. Our love always. Jen and Don
Lynn Kitts Brown says
Lit a candle in memory of Edward Franklin Kitts
Terry (Berry) Itami says
O, Nancy, Lynn and David what you wrote about your Dad was so beautiful. Can’t seem to stop crying. That picture of your Dad captures his whole being, the laugh, the twinkle in his eye and mischievous grin. I am so glad Jesus defeated this thing call death, because it would hurt too bad thinking we’d never see him again. But, Jesus did and someday we will see your Dad and my Dad, those two wonderful men, again. Right now the two best friends are getting to know each other all over again. Love your cousin, terry
Jen Gill says
I love this picture of two of my most special people. Love, Jen
Lynn Brown says
I love you Dad and I will miss you, but I know you are very busy now catching up with all your family and friends in Heaven. Hugs and Kisses! Lynn
Carmelita Spivey says
Nancy-
There is nothing I could say to ever make the pain go away, but just know he is at peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you!!
Love you friend,
Carmelita
Anonymous says
Written in the Stars by Teleflora was purchased for the family of Edward Franklin Kitts Jr.
Rachel & Allen says
We are profoundly sadden by the news and only hope our dearest friend Ed is now in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the family. Please let us know the slightest assistance we may offer.
With love,
Rachel & Allen
Big Sky Cremation & Twitchell Funeral Se rvice says
2 files added to the album Commintment
Lynn Kitts Brown says
1 file added to the tribute wall
Lynn Kitts Brown says
1 file added to the tribute wall
Lynn Kitts Brown says
1 file added to the tribute wall
Nancy Kitts says
5 files added to the album Adventures
Nancy Kitts says
17 files added to the album Friends, Family, and Fun
Nancy Kitts says
1 file added to the album Adventures
Roselyn Kitts says
Lit a candle in memory of Edward Franklin Kitts
Nancy Kitts says
Thank you Carmelita! Love you too friend….. Nancy
Betty Brewre says
We are so sorry for your loss, but Heaven has gained a wonderful man who will be watching over his family and friends like he did here on earth. Ed was such a sweetheart and I always enjoyed getting my hug everytime I came into Eagles. My Mother Virginia Russell and I loved Ed and Pinkie so much and send our greatest sympathies to you all. He will live on in all of your hearts and memories forever. Remember that God loves each and every one of you and will hold you in this time of grief. Just let Him wrap his loving healing arms around you and give you comfort. Our prayers and love go out to you all!
Betty Brewer & Virginia Russell
Patti Hickam says
Dear Nancy, Pinky and Lynn…
I just don’t have the right words. I’m so sorry for the loss that you are experiencing. My heart is with you; I wish that I could be there with you as well. I pray for peace, comfort, and understanding for you, and I pray for the Holy Spirit to carry you through this.
My love to each of you, and God’s peace to you,
Patti
Timothy R. Berry says
3 files added to the album Commintment
Tim Berry says
2 files added to the album Berry Photos of Ed and Pinky
Tim Berry says
3 files added to the album Berry Photos of Ed and Pinky
Tim Berry says
6 files added to the album Berry Photos of Ed and Pinky
Nancy Kitts says
We will honor you today Dad. Your final wishes will be complete.
I have missed you as I carried out your last wishes. I caught myself thinking I needed to ask you if I got something right. It is hard to be without you. Mom misses you too.
I was honor to fulfill you last wish. It has been an honor learning from you and learning with you as you faced the last days of your earth life. I am grateful for the chance to say all the things that needed to be said before you moved on to your life in heaven. I realize what a gift the last two weeks were for you and me. I thank God for that time. I thank you for your willingness to say and hear all of those precious “Thank-you’s†and all of those forgiving “I’m sorry’sâ€.
Dad, thank you for my life.
Thank you for the lessons you taught me through amazing adventures and even the tough times when we did not see eye to eye. I grew and learned from the experiences. I think about what you realized in the last few weeks of your time on this earth and you were right. The material things do not matter. It is the journey and the lessons we learn from all of the experiences we gain from that journey that matter. It is the time and care that we take building relationships. Even as you were dying, we were still learning with and from each other. Amazing.
Dad, thank you for my life, you and Mom prepared me. I’m OK.
I love and miss you,
Nancy