James Denford (“JD”) Pitts passed away on October 20, 2019, at the age of 90. JD is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jennifer; two stepdaughters, Alison and Lisa; daughters, Rachel and Stephanie; and sister, Johnnie Annis Rowe.
Born in London, Arkansas, the son of Edna Jewell Price and Joseph Oscar Pitts, JD spent his childhood in Prescott, Arizona. After graduating from Prescott High School, where he lettered in four varsity sports, was homecoming king and president of his senior class, JD attended Grand Canyon College and later managed a theater and a gas station before signing on with the Iron King Mine in Yavapai County, Arizona. JD worked as a safety engineer for the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the Mine Safety and Health Administration in Washington, D. C. In 1972 he was awarded the Citation for Valor from the Secretary of the Interior for his courageous action involving a high degree of personal risk in the face of danger in the rescue of two miners trapped by a fire in the Sunshine Silver Mine in Kellogg, Idaho.
JD will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, loyal friend, and craftsman extraordinaire. From building decks, repairing furniture, pouring concrete, servicing cars, and wiring electronics, to designing intricate wood sculptures and creating hand-painted art pieces, there was nothing that JD couldn’t make from scratch or improve through meticulous engineering. He had a lively sense of humor, was a passionate animal lover, an avid bridge player, a talented pool player, and an outgoing friend and neighbor who touched the hearts of many.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037; 866-720-2676.
To leave a note or share a memory with JD’s family, please sign the online guestbook.
