Alfred "Al" Stitt

Alfred "Al" Stitt, 91, of Scottsdale, AZ, often referred to his home as "Heaven on Earth". It was there that he passed peacefully in his sleep on Christmas Eve morning. He awoke to his new heavenly home and was reunited with his beloved wife, Wilma, and a host of family and friends. Al was born Jan. 14, 1921 in Kansas City, KS to Edwin J. & Lavenia (Engel) Stitt. He had one sister, Mary Alice Stitt, who, with his parents and wife, preceded him in death.

He served in the 37th General Hospital Unit as Staff Sargent T3 in the U.S. Army during WWII. He received the EAME Theater Ribbon, 3 Bronze Service Stars, a Good Conduct Medal & a WWII Victory Ribbon. After the war, he returned to work at Cudahy Packing Co., where he met the love of his life, Wilma Dowell. They were married Sept.13, 1947. He continued to work at Cudahy Foods/Bar S until he retired in 1986 after 46 years of service. He was a Master Mason (60 year member) of the Capitol Masonic Lodge #3 A.F. & A.M. in Omaha NE.

Al is survived by his daughter Jennie and son-in-law Bob Gwinn of Scottsdale, his son Tom and daughter-in-law Jan Kissimon-Stitt of Greenville, SC, his grandchildren Jeff (Suzanne) Gwinn, Kristina (Paul) Grako, great grandchildren Hayden, Marlee & Brinklee Grako, Kendall & Sawyer Hendrix, nieces Peg Stice, Nancy Stice Neilson, Barb Dowell Collins, & grand dog Maddy. The family would also like to acknowledge the wonderful caregivers at Hospice of the Valley, both the home care team and the staff at Brighton Gardens Palliative Care Unit, as well as the Villa Home Care professionals and Sue Golomb of Scottsdale.

He leaves behind this loving family and caregivers who selfishly wanted him to stay but realized that his spirit lives on through the good things they do for others.

A Celebration of Al’s Life will be held at the Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 515 E. Continental Dr., Tempe, Sat., Jan. 12 at Noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Al’s memory to Hospice of the Valley www.HOV.org #480 663 6500 or the AZ Humane Society www.azhumane.org #602 997 7585 ext1036