Michael Edward Kitts

Michael Edward Kitts, 74, devoted father, husband, Papaw, brother, and friend went to be with his Lord & Savior on Friday, August 12, 2022. Born February 5, 1948, Mick was a native of Ironton, Ohio, and resident of Abilene, Texas since 1984. Mick married his sweetheart, Faye Kitts, in 1971. He leaves an incredibly large and loving family. He is survived by sons, Chris and Kelly (Trott) Kitts of Granbury, TX, and Carey and Sheila (Breeden) Kitts of Abilene, TX, as well as the greatest joys of his life, granddaughters ‘Princess’ Kelci Welch (husband Tyler) & Kadi ‘bug’ Kitts, and grandsons Jackson, Carter, & Wilson Kitts, better known as Huey, Duey, and Louie. He was preceded in death by parents Edward Kitts and Clara Norris and brothers Charles (Tim) Kitts and Robert (Bob) Norris of Ironton, OH. He is also survived by siblings Mary Lou & (late husband) Keith Wymer of Ironton OH, Jackie Null and husband Terry Null, also of Ironton. Randy Kitts(wife Marchetta) and Sandy Kitts Brown (husband Chuck) of Coal Grove OH.

Mick was a talented basketball player for Ironton High School and was named an All American. Mick was a hard worker his entire life, but the late 70s and early 80s proved to be a very trying time in Ironton. Despite hard times, Mick worked various jobs and various shifts to provide for his family, all while continuing to work towards his degree from Ohio University in Business Management. It was in 1983, after being laid off yet again, Mick decided to load up his family and move halfway across the country to Abilene, TX. He made the move on the promise of work from his childhood friend Rufus Frazier, who recently passed away just weeks ago. Mick went on to manage Preston Dairy in Abilene for several years.  Unfortunately, the company eventually went out of business. Mick then temporarily took a job as a school bus driver, until he could find something else more suited to him. As it turned out though, he found he loved the job and enjoyed seeing the kids safely home, to and from school every day. He decided that, while he could probably have made more money doing something else, the work was fulfilling, and it also allowed him more precious time during the day to spend with his first grandchild Kelci. Shortly before Mick retired, he received the sad news that he was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia.  Despite the devastating prognosis, Mick faithfully cared for his wife Faye, who at the time was battling cancer which was progressing rapidly. He loyally loved and watched over her until her passing in 2017. Mick had a work ethic like none other and gave all of himself to both his work, as well as his family. His loyalties to his friends and family were unmatched. He showed his family love daily, and even after his boys were grown and had families of their own, he was there for them no matter what. Mick was a man of few words, but to those who were blessed enough to know him, he was a gentle giant.  He was loyal to a fault and will be greatly missed. A memorial is being planned for Mick later this fall, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Faye in Ironton, Ohio.