Charles Lee Stitt

Charles Lee Stitt, a retired associate circuit judge of the Jackson County Circuit Court, passed away at his home on Monday, February 12th, after an extended illness. He was 87.

Charlie was raised in Herington, Kansas. After graduating from what is now Wichita State University with a degree in Political Science, he fulfilled his dream of becoming commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He attained the rank of Captain, and served as a rifle company commander during both the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After 12 years in the Marine Corps, he went on to earn a law degree from the UMKC School of Law, graduating in 1968. Three years later, he was elected to the Jackson County bench, where he would serve for the next 30 years.

He leaves behind fond memories among his dear friends at his two favorite watering holes—Kelly’s Westport Inn and the Twin City Tavern.

He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Mark Avery Stitt. He is survived by: his wife, Patsy Gilmore Stitt; his son Raoul C. Stitt (Rita), of Lee’s Summit; his son Charles H. “Hank” Stitt, of Prairie Village, and Hank’s daughter, Lilly Stitt; his son Michael Lee Stitt (Suzanne), of Charlotte, N.C., and their children Erin and Connor Stitt; his sister, Connie Y. Samples (Eugene), of Hutchinson, Kansas, and their children, Jimmy and Jo Dee Samples; and, his grandchildren Keely, Kelsey and Kellen Danielsen. He was also preceded in death by his former wife Katherine Ann Powers-Smith, the mother of Raoul and Hank, and his former wife Diane Venie Stitt, the mother of Michael and Mark.

Burial is planned at Mount Moriah Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to Mark on Saturday the 24th of February, at noon. His family will host a public celebration of his life that afternoon, at Kelly’s Westport Inn, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. - 500 Westport Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64111; (816) 561-5800.