Funeral service for Mr. Jerry O. Pitts, 58, of Nacogdoches, Texas will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 10:00 am at Laird Funeral Home with Dr. Allen Reed officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Mr. Pitts passed away in Nacogdoches on Monday, January 11, 2010.
He was born in Nacogdoches on July 14, 1951 to Norvell Pitts and Mildred Lee Pitts.

Jerry was born and raised in Nacogdoches. He graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1969 and attended Stephen F. Austin University. Jerry worked as a senior lineman for TXU for 30 years. After his retirement from TXU he worked as a corporate pilot as well as working at Stephen F. Austin in the Grounds and Transportation Department. Jerry had many hobbies and interests. He was especially involved in aviation and was an accomplished commercial pilot. He began flying as a hobby and became a licensed pilot over 20 years ago. He enjoyed tournament bass fishing, watching NASCAR and raced motorcycles in his early years. He closely followed his cousin Ben Spies' racing career. He was proud of Ben's latest accomplishment of winning the World Superbike title in Europe. Jerry was known by his friends and family for his wonderful sense of humor. He grew up attending Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church and was a member of First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches. Jerry was a wonderful son, brother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his mother, Mildred Lee Pitts of Nacogdoches; one daughter, Lee Ann Thill and husband, Jason of New Jersey; two sisters, Lennijo Henderson of Dallas and Susan Pitts of Nacogdoches; three nieces, Cressida Pedroza of Bell Garden, California, Desiree Henderson of Duncanville, Texas and Eliet Henderson of Oakland, California; one nephew, Summers Henderson of Somerville, MA. He was preceded in death by his father, Norvell Pitts.

Pallbearers will be Henry Spies, Ben Spies, Jeff Akin, Craig Akin, Stephen Herman, Richard Lee, Craig Morton and Tommy Daniels.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Daniels, Victor Shepherd, Russell Whitten, Ricky Brown, Charlie Muckleroy and James Johnston.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that blood donations be made to the East Texas Blood Center, 3520 N. University Dr, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965, to honor Jerry's regular blood donations over many years, or donations to a charity of your choice.

Visitation with Jerry's family will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 5-7 pm at the little chapel at First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches.