Charles Leon Pitts, of Hancock, was born on October 22, 1926, at Kaufman, Texas, a son of Luther and Bama (Stringer) Pitts and departed this life peacefully at 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at his daughter's residence, surrounded by his family. Mr. Pitts had attained the age of 92 years, 4 months and 26 days.

Mr. Pitts was united in marriage on May 20, 1952, at Terrell, Texas to Joyce Wallis and to this union five children were born. He was preceded in death by his wife on June 15, 2003; his parents; two brothers, Martin Pitts and Jim Pitts and two sisters, Rudell Ray and Rilla Cathey.

Mr. Pitts was a retired United States Army veteran having served during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. During WWII he was in the Merchant Marine working as a Quartermaster and Ships Officer on Hospital Ships and Tankers that operated in the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans. After the war, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Japan as part of the occupation force. At the outbreak of the Korean war, he was promoted and assigned as the 1 ^st Sergeant of the 8 ^th Ranger Company that was soon deployed to support combat operations in Korea. While with the 8 ^th Rangers, he received a battlefield promotion to 2 ^nd Lieutenant. He was assigned as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Army during the initial stages of our involvement in Vietnam (1962-63). He retired 31 August 1966 at the rank of Major after completing 20 plus years of service. He received numerous awards, decorations and campaign ribbons to include a Presidential Unit Citation, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge with Star, and Parachute Badge.

Following his military career, Mr. Pitts had worked at Fort Leonard Wood and as a Minister of the Church of Christ in various locations.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Pitts include: two sons and one daughter-in-law, Charles W. Pitts, Hancock, and Ralph and Penny Pitts, Lebanon; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Charlotte and Vern Metzger, Hancock; Rebecca and Ben Scrivner, Rolla and Laura Pitts, Hancock; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one expected in the near future; daughter-in-law, LeeAnna Pitts, Hancock; special friend, Joy Girdley, Montreal, MO; and many other relatives and friends.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. for Mr. Pitts on Thursday, March 28, 2019, in the Freedom Cemetery, Montreal, Missouri. Visitation from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the cemetery.

Memorials are suggested by the family to the Phelps Health Hospice  or the Little Prairie Bible Camp with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.