10/03/2013
Jerry Lee Pitt, Sr., age 76, of Knoxville, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2013, at his home with his family by his side.
Jerry was born at home in rural Knoxville, Iowa, on January 4, 1937, the son of Dewey Joseph and Jessey Mae (Simmons) Pitt. Jerry was raised around Knoxville. He attended Brownlee Country School and the Neil MGowen Junior High.
Jerry worked for a few years with a tree service in Des Moines before enlisting into the U.S. Marine Corps. Jerry served from 1954 to 1957 and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean War. During his service in Japan, he received his G.E.D.
On December 25, 1957, in Knoxville, Iowa Jerry and Mary Clare were united in marriage. They shared almost 51 years of marriage together and were blessed with three children: Bill, Jerry, Jr., and Kelly. Mary died on November 25, 2008.
Jerry worked most of his life and liked to stay busy. He had worked at the VA Hospital and on the Red Rock Dam project before going to work at Maytag in the mid-1960s. Jerry worked with Maytag for 30 years, retiring in the mid-1990s. After his retirement, he worked with the City of Knoxville, and later Jerry drove a H.I.R.T.A. Bus in Knoxville.
Jerry enjoyed socializing and coffee time with friends. When he was younger and raising his children Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and horse riding. His lifelong passion was bluegrass music. Jerry played guitar, sang, and wrote bluegrass songs.
Jerry is survived by his children, Bill Pitt (Sue Beal) of Pella, Jerry Pitt, Jr. (Toni) of Knoxville, and Kelly Slycord (Dennis) of Knoxville, and 12 grandchildren: Dustin, Greg (Julia), Jake (Jess) and Scott Pitt, Lacy (Heath) Thingstad, Jami (Bob) Harsin, Annette (Bryan) Smith, Steve (Cassie) Beaver, Cody Beaver, Bobbi (Scott) Karr, Corey (Jana) Roush, and Karri (Mike) Scheffers, and 12 great-grandchildren: Montanna, Morgan, Tyson, Taryn, Jaylin, Tanner, Brayden, Mackenzie, Ava, Cameron, Danielle, and Emerie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Jessey Pitt, wife, Mary Pitt, two brothers, Keith and John, and two sisters, Carolyn and Sharon.
Visitation for Jerry will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013, at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville, with Jerry’s family present. 
Jerry’s wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., also Saturday, October 5th, at the Winfield Funeral Home, with Elder Bill McDonald and Pastor Mike Miller officiating. Burial with military honors will follow services at Red Rock Cemetery in rural Knoxville.
A memorial has been established for HCI Hospice Care of Knoxville. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com. The Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is assisting Jerry’s family with services.