Howard Pitts
PRICE - Howard Thomas Pitts, 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Price on Sunday morning, Sept. 18, 2005.
He was born in Myton, on Sept. 27, 1918 to Thomas Vivian and Ruth Edwards Pitts. Graduated from Carbon High School. He then moved to San Francisco, Calif., where he worked as an apprentice in the plumbing business. He returned to Price where he began his own trucking business. Married Elaine Smith Dec. 3, 1939. They had one daughter, Myrna. Elaine died Nov. 24, 1940. Served in the Pacific Islands as a SeaBee in the Navy during World War II. He married Edna Pilling on March 4, 1946; she died March 14, 1997 after 50 years of marriage.
Later, his brother Kenneth joined him in forming a construction business. During this time, along with Lieb Miller, they built the two large water tanks still in use in Price. They built bridges in Utah and Idaho and completed many other contruction projects. He also hauled coal for many businesses in the county.
In 1953, he and Kenneth also began another business, Pitts Brother's Wrecking and Auto. He operated this business, even after his brother's death, until he was 75 and then retired.
He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed hunting, photography and gardening. He won the monthly best-kept yard in Price award two times, once in 2004 and just this past month, 2005.
He was a hard worker, successful businessman, loving husband, father, grandfather and a well-loved neighbor and friend. He will be missed by his family and his many friends.
Survived by four daughters, Myrna (Leonard) Trauntvein, Nephi; Charlotte (Wallace) Kilfoyle, Boise, Idaho; Laurel (Thomas) Marinos, Cydney (Michael) Anderson, both of Price; two brothers and one sister, Morgan (June) Pitts, Travor City, Wis.; Robert (Maxine) Pitts, Price; and Patricia Lubbe, Las Vegas, Nev.; 14 grandchildren, Shawn (Kimberly) Trauntvein, Layton; Melanie (Howard) Bolton, Milford, Mass.; Todd (Amy) Trauntvein, Johnstown, Ohio; Eric (Amy) Trauntvein Payson; AnnMarie (Brandon) Howard, Provo; Julie (James) Jones, Nephi; Kirsten (Jared) Waite, Colorado Springs, Colo.; David (Arbree) Trauntvein, St. George; Brenda (Nathaniel) Golden, Boise, Idaho; Bridget Campbell, Boise, Idaho; Ursula (Cris) Pereira, West Jordan; Gust T. Marinos, Price; David M. Anderson, Las Vegas, Nev.; Terri Pierce, Price; 29 loving great-grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents; one brother, Kenneth Pitts; two sisters, Vera Pearl Pitts and Bernice Narrisso.
Funeral service Thursday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main St., Price. Family will be at Mitchell's Wednesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. and Thursday one hour prior to service. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
