Ogene Pitts

Ogene Pitts, 96, widower of Lucille Cox Pitts, died Sunday, November 28, 2010 At MeadowView Terrace. He was born November 21, 1914 in Big Cabin, Oklahoma to Albert and Libbie Schocky Pitts. Mr. Pitts and his three brothers and two sisters helped out on the family farm. It was on the farm that he became very good at fixing farm equipment. Farmers from all around would come to the farm to have Ogene Pitts fix their equipment. Valedictorian of his senior class, Mr. Pitts graduated from White Oak High School. He furthered his education at George Washington University where he received a Bachelor Degree in Social Science with distinction in June, 1963 and his Master of Arts Degree in Personnel Administration in September, 1964. He joined the United States Army in 1932 and was sent to school to learn about repairing military equipment. They soon found out he knew more than most of their instructors. Promotions came quickly and in 1941 he was commissioned into the Regular Army as a 2nd Lieutenant as an Ordnance Officer. In the years that followed, the following decorations and commendations were awarded to Colonel Pitts: Army Commendation Medal with three Oak-Leaf Clusters; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star; Army Occupation Medal Germany; National Defense Service Medal with one Oak-Leaf Cluster; Four overseas Bars; and the Legion of Merit. He retired in 1966. After his retirement, he took a job with the Virginia Employment Commission as an Appeals Referee where he became Director of the Department Of Appeals Referee. He retired for the second time in 1979. Mr. Pitts is survived by his sons, Stanley G. Pitts of Clarksville; James M. Pitts of Sanford, NC; and Mark D. Pitts of Haydensville. Seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be 1PM Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery requires attendees to arrive approximately one hour early at the Fort Myer entrance .