John Randall Pitts, Sr.

John 'Randall' Pitts, Sr. passed away Tuesday, October 1, at the age of 73. Randall was born March 29, 1940, in Houston, Texas, to Calvin Morgan 'Jack' Pitts and Hattie Mae Sullins Pitts. He grew up in Baytown, Texas, where he attended Ashbel Smith Elementary and Horace Mann Junior School and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1958.

Randall went to work for Pearl Beer Distributing Company in the early 1960s and spent several years in its accounting department. The time he spent there provided a good living for him and his young family; however, the desire for a career in law enforcement continued to pull at him. In 1971 he graduated from the Police Academy at College of the Mainland and after many years working as a reserve officer was hired as a full-time patrol officer with the Baytown Police Department.

Randall spent a total of 26 years with the department, and during that time was recognized with several commendations for outstanding service. He also spent 13 years as a constable with Harris County Constable Office Precinct 3. While he loved the adventure and variety of police work, it was truly the lifelong relationships he developed with the citizens of our town as well as with his fellow officers that brought him great pride and happiness throughout his life.

In addition to his passion for law enforcement, Randall loved to hunt. He couldn't wait for deer season every year and the ritual of packing, getting his jeep ready, and heading out to the deer lease. He enjoyed many a night around the campfire with friends ""telling lies"" and laughing.

But of all the good things in his life, he would say that the very best was meeting and marrying Rose Ann. For the past 40 years, she has been a loving and devoted wife. Her love and support meant the world to him and sustained him through the difficult health issues he faced.

Randall Pitts was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Curtis McNabb and brother Robert McNabb, and step-mother Wilma McNabb. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Rose Ann. He leaves six children: daughter Julie Heffner and husband Tony, daughter Charlotte Golding and husband Rob, son John Randall Jr., daughter Kay Thessnow and husband Roger, step-son Jack Henderson, Jr., and step-daughter Brenda Merling and husband Robert. Surviving grandchildren include Mark Heffner, Jill Heffner Laird and husband Chad, Caroline Golding Dickens and husband Bryce, Catherine Golding, Caitlin Simonson, Kameron Simonson, Kristen Henderson, Lauren Dew White and husband Toby, Brittney Dew, Erika Merling, and Sarah Merling Maddox and husband Calvin. He is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren: Luke and Will Laird; Anthony Reyes; Kaelob, Klaeton, and Kamryn Schuelzky; Zayne Dew and Zoey Smith; and Cason, Kendall, Colson, and Connor Maddox.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 12, at 10:30 in the morning at Navarre Funeral Home in Baytown with the Rev. Roy Cloudt officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 prior to the service.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Weldon Jones, Billy Jones, Jerry Box, Dan Woolcock, and Robert Merling.

To honor the life of Randall Pitts, donations can be made in his name to the 100 Club of Houston at www.the100club.org or the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.