James Leslie Pitts' Obituary
James Leslie Pitts, known to his friends as Jim, passed peacefully from his sleep into his Heavenly Home with Jesus on April 17, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 73. Jim was born July 19, 1951, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Roy Leslie and Leta Lou (Rife) Pitts. He lived in Del City, Oklahoma until the age of 2 when the family moved to Tulsa. He lived in Tulsa for the duration of his life. Jim grew up attending Calvary Baptist Church where he was saved and baptized as a young boy. In his youth, he enjoyed spending summer weeks fishing at his aunt and uncle’s Gone Fishing Resort on Grand Lake and taking bus trips with his grandmother. He graduated from East Central High School in 1970 and following graduation, attended Okmulgee Tech. He was a lifelong bachelor. Throughout his life, he worked as a commercial driver for various transportation services including charter tours and shuttling services. He loved traveling. Whether flying or driving across country or a quick trip to St. Louis or Branson, he was always ready to go. He was very patriotic and loved politics. Over the years, he volunteered with the Republican Party, often manning their booth at the Tulsa State Fair. He also worked as an election representative with the Tulsa County Election Board for numerous elections. Jim was an avid sports fan. His first job as a teenager was selling concessions in the stands at the Tulsa Oilers baseball games so he could watch the games for free. He also ushered for many years at the TU football games and the Tulsa Ice Oilers. He loved rooting for the OU Sooners, but he was most passionate about TU sports. Through the years, he regularly attended The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane football and basketball games and enjoyed the company of many friends at those games. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan, enjoying many special trips with family and friends over the years to watch them play. He also enjoyed an occasional golf game and attended numerous golf events held in Tulsa. Jim spent many wonderful years as a coach and umpire of youth baseball in Jenks, Oologah and Claremore and was known for his extensive knowledge of baseball. He enjoyed every minute of his coaching time and had a plethora of dear friends and memories from his baseball days. He cherished each and every one of the players and coaches that he worked with over the years. Known for his good nature and sense of humor, he loved to tease and make people laugh. He was always ready to share a story or news of the day. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ella Rife; parents, Roy and Leta Pitts; brother-in-law, David Robinson; and friends that were his brothers, Todd and Tag Bingham. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Karen and Pat McKaig of Mountain Home, AR, niece Diana Inks and her children, Jaden, Gavin, and Ciara all of Wichita, KS, cousins Richard Carli of Tulsa, Carol Barrow (Jim) of Tulsa and Janice Johnson of Edmond, OK and their families and many cherished friends. Honorary pall bears are Richard Carli, Homer Cox, and all of the special players he coached through the years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arvest Bank Account #50874448 to help with funeral costs.
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