The Rev. John Robert Pitts

John Robert Pitts, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away suddenly and returned to the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, the 23rd of December 2025 at the age of 78. The night before, he had been celebrating Christmas with his family as he did every year, laughing on the patio in the backyard, driving friends and family around in his decked out red Jeep Gladiator adorned with glittering lights and a 1960’s Santa and Rudolph hovering over the cab, playing Christmas songs along the way.

John was born on New Year's Day, 1947. There was a major snowstorm in Dallas that New Year’s Eve and his parents, Agnes and Roy Pitts, barely made it to St. Paul’s Hospital, climbing up the frozen stairs just in time to give birth to a pair of identical baby boys, the first twins born in the county that year. John and his twin brother Jim, who was younger by eleven minutes, were inseparable, mischievous and fun while growing up, always looking for new ways to play tricks on their mother.

John attended St. Bernard’s Catholic School in Dallas followed by Jesuit High School, where he graduated in 1964. He and Jim then headed to greener pastures at the University of Texas until the Texas tower shooting, at which time their father called the boys home and enrolled them at Southern Methodist University. John graduated with a BBA in 1968. He stayed on at SMU and graduated with his MBA in 1969, followed by his JD from the SMU Dedman School of Law in 1972.

After graduating, John clerked for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, Joe Greenhill, from 1972–1973. John loved this job and could recount the day Chief Justice Greenhill announced that John had passed the bar exam. He then joined Vinson & Elkins where he specialized in estate planning and rose to become the then-youngest partner in the firm's history.

After many years with the firm, John felt called to become an Episcopal priest, and entered the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1984. John was elected president of the student body at both law school and seminary. During seminary, John served as Seminarian in Charge at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Purcellville, Virginia. He loved his time in Purcellville and worked hard to grow the church. Instead of closing the parish as was suggested by the bishop, the parish broke ground on a new church after John had been there for only three months.

After graduating from seminary in 1987, John returned to his home church of St. John the Divine in Houston. After a few years, the Bishop of Texas asked John to be the Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of Texas. He was later called to be the Rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas. During his time there, St. Matthew’s became the fastest growing Episcopal church in the country.

While in Austin, he also served as Chaplain to the Texas Senate for many years and conducted a Bible study for the legislators. Until his death, John served on the staff of Christ Church Cathedral as affiliated clergy. Later on in life, John’s passion led him to build a chapel in his own backyard, where he loved to regularly conduct services for his friends and family.

In 1996, then Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock recruited John to become his General Counsel. In that role, John coordinated the passage of Senate Bill 1, the first comprehensive water legislation in the history of Texas.

John subsequently worked at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld in their public policy practice. During his time there, he coordinated major water legislation for the Gila River Native American community, which was the largest Native American water settlement in history, and advised on a major water supply agreement between the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Austin.

Upon leaving Akin Gump, and with his true entrepreneurial spirit, he founded Texas Star Alliance, a highly respected public affairs and lobbying firm in Austin, Texas. Later, his son John Pitts Jr. joined the group, and they crafted legislation creating the medicinal cannabis laws in Texas, known as the Compassionate Use Program, along with numerous other pieces of legislation for a diverse array of clients.

Consistently ranked as one of the top lobbyists in Texas, John was inducted into the Texas Lobby Hall of Fame by the online publication Capitol Inside. He grew Texas Star Alliance to become one of the largest lobby firms in Austin, which was ranked in the top three lobby firms in the state. The Texas Capitol community refers to him as a legend—intelligent, highly respected, generous, and kind.

John’s love of people and desire to make things better for those around him led him to a life of volunteering. John was an integral part of many business and charitable organizations. This included serving as board chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston; board vice-chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star; founding board member of Houston City Hall Fellows; board member and co-founder of Trinity Episcopal School of Austin; board member and co-founder of LIFE Houston; and a board member of UTHealth Development Board, where he was chair of its Government Relations Committee and PAC Committee. He was also a board member of the Texas Association of Business; Park Plaza Hospital; St. John’s School; Virginia Theological Seminary; Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest; as well as Allegro.

John leaves behind a legacy of love and hard work. He was known for his charismatic personality as well as his red Christmas pants. He had fallen head over heels with the love of his life Mary Bain, who he would surprise with trips and gifts, and enjoyed traveling to anywhere they could work on their tans. His life was defined by his commitment to family, faith, and service, and his spirit will continue to inspire us all. His family will always think of him at the beginning of every prayer, hearing his booming voice start with “Let us pray.”

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Bain Pearson Pitts, and his two sons John Jr. (Lesley) and Jamie (Brittany) Pitts. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, John III, Sterling, and Caroline Pitts, as well as his brothers-in-law Jim (Gina) and Gary Pearson, his nieces Kristin, Elizabeth, and Megan Pearson, and his dear friends Gayle and Jim Shadowens and Karen Craig. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews whom he thought of as his own children: Duffy (Scott) Bloemendal, Ashley Pitts, Ryan (Faith Anne) Pitts, and Mike (Molly) Burns.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Rosemary Burns, his twin brother Jim Pitts, and his mother and father-in-law Gary and Mary Bain Pearson.

The family extends its great appreciation to those who cared for John, including Dr. David McPherson, Dr. Sean Savitz, Dr. Holly Holmes, Mona Patel N.P. and Lynn Cutrer from UTHealth.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 5th of January, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A funeral service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 6th of January, at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue in Houston, where The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, The Very Reverend Nathaniel Katz, and The Reverend Leigh Spruill will officiate.

Valet parking will be available at the Cathedral. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception. For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting John’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the "Join Livestream" icon in the service section. While there, you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with his family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Russ Joseph, Rick Jeter, Christopher Joseph, The Honorable Jim Turner, Danny Smith, Nick James, and Jim Shapiro.

The family will gather for a private interment at Bryan City Cemetery in Bryan, Texas, where he will be laid to rest in the family’s lot.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the Endowment fund of Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002; The Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304; or UTHealth Houston (Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease or Cardiovascular Medicine Division) PO Box 20268, Houston, TX 77025-9998.