Johnny Carroll Pitts, Sr.

Johnny Carroll Pitts Sr. aka Jack Pitts was born May 20, 1931 in Deep Creek, WA to Ira and Ella Pitts. He was the oldest of 3 children, Jack, June and Margie. He was raised in Mold, WA nears Sims Corner. When he was in his first years of school he and his younger sister June shared a ride on the back of an old mare 2.5 miles to the school house to attend. In 1942 the world was at war and the family moved to San Fransico to work in the shipyards. Jack attended and graduated from South San Fransico High School in 1949. Upon graduation, Jack received a football scholarship to WSU and moved to Pullman, WA where he played one season of Cougar Football. While travelling back to college after spending Christmas with his family, Jack was injured in a bad car accident, spent 3 months recovering and lost his football scholarship. In 1950 Jack travelled to Malott, WA to visit Uncle Oscar and Auntie Hope Pitts. While there he met Connie at the Serles Store (he said it was love at first sight). After one month he proposed on the steps of Malott Improvement Club and swooned her with the finest words ever…”stick with me girl and you’ll be wearing diamonds as big as horse turds.” After a 5 month courtship they were married on September 29, 1950. Some said it wouldn’t last and then came Pam in 1952, John in 1954 and Tana in 1965. We think 73 years of marriage is a testament to their everlasting love. Jack and Connie were one of the first 4 families that lived in the Chilliwist. In the early part of their married life, Jack worked many jobs…wheat farming, building the Brewster bridge, and working on the Wells & Chief Joseph Dams. He also worked for Biles & Coleman and the County Road Department. In 1970 they bought the Malott store from Keith & Ilene Hand. Connie worked the store with Barbara Hanson while Jack worked for the County Road Department. Jack worked for the County by day and began building his ranch by night, raising hay and running over 500 head of cattle. He worked 24/7 and in 1975 began building a house for Connie, then corrals, then a barn. Jack was a 40-year member of the Malott Fire Department and Served as Fire Chief for many years. He was the chief in 1974 when the fire hall burnt down. Jack, Connie & Tom (assistant fire chief) and Molly Wadell, flew to the Mack Truck Factory in Alantown, PA and drove the new fire truck all the way home. Throughout the years Jack served as President of the Okanogan County Cattlemen’s Association, as well as secretary and treasurer in various years. He was also a member of the Malott Improvement Club, Grange and Methodist Church. Jack believed that hard work makes a man. His motto was that if you find something you love to do you will never work a day in your life. He took great joy in helping family and friends, no matter the task. Branding and moving cows were among his favorites and he spent many happy days on horseback. He loved to farm and build big things. His entire ranch was a testament to his hard work and vision. The ranch was merely bare ground when he started in 1975, and he built everything to last two lifetimes. Words Jack lived by… “If you don’t have anything nice to say you shouldn’t say anything at all. It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”. Jack loved nothing more than his family. He was so proud and would tell everyone just how blessed he was. He was the absolute patriarch of the Pitts clan and we will forever cherish the man that he was. Survived by his wife Connie, daughter Pam Damskov (Dale), son John Pitts (BillieJoe) and daughter Tana Pitts(Bruce), 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and numerous extended family. A private family graveside will be held at the Malott Cemetery. A public Celebration of Life Potluck will be held 12:00 noon, Monday, April 8th 2024 at the Malott Grange Hall in Malott, WA.

Johnny Carroll Pitts, Sr.

May 20, 1931 - April 2, 2024