Eldon Monroe Pitts

Eldon Monroe Pitts, of Cook Station, MO, was born on Wednesday, September 27, 1933, in Cook Station, MO to Frank Scott Pitts and Ruth Mae Pitts, nee Earney.  He passed away at his home in Cook Station, MO, on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the age of 91 years and 15 days.

Monroe attended Cook Station grade school and Steelville High School.  When he was 17 years old, he joined the United States Navy where he served our country honorably during the Korean War.  During that time, he stayed on the ocean repairing ships.  When he returned home, he began working as a steel cutter for Hyman-Michaels and Lipsett Companies, traveling the United States.  Monroe and his brothers then started Pitts Brothers Welding, where they repaired canoes for Bass Canoe Rental and helped build First Community Bank in Steelville.  In addition to welding and cutting steel, Monroe also was a cattle farmer and enjoyed watching the cows.  Monroe married Sherry Ruth Rogers on September 30, 1994 in Fordsville, KY.  He had accepted the Lord as his Savior and previously attended Canaan Community Church.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gigging, time on the river, barbeque gatherings and outdoors in general.  Monroe was known for his storytelling, and had a Christmas tradition of gathering kids around the Christmas tree and telling his story of “Taley Po” in his best quivery voice that only he could do.  Most of all, Monroe loved his family and the time spent with them.  He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ruth Pitts; parents-in-law Duell and Perle Rogers; son Frank Pitts; 10 siblings: Cecil “Buddy” (Helen) Pitts, Stella (Floyd) Clay, Pershing (Owanna) Pitts, Glen (Kate) Pitts, John (Delores C.) Pitts, Reba Kordene “Sissy” (Lucian) Moore, Walter (Delores) Pitts, Bob (Alberta) Pitts, James (Doretta) Pitts and Florence (Tom) Hicks; brother-in-law Lawrence “Larry” Cothran.

Monroe is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sherry Pitts of Cook Station, MO; 6 children, Nola Dorton, Dale (Teri) Pitts and Michael (Paula) Pitts all of Cook Station, MO, Richard (Barbara) Pitts, Brian (Angie) Pitts both of Steelville, MO and Melina (Curtis) Vernon of Cook Station, MO; daughter-in-law Heather Pitts of Eminence, MO; sister Shirley Cothran of Steelville, MO; sister-in-law Kay (Rob) Housewright of Springfield, MO; 25 grandchildren; 46 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Following Monroe's wishes, the family chose cremation as his final disposition and had a private inurnment at Gorman Cemetery. Memorials were suggested to Canaan Community Church or the Cook Station Community Building.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eldon Monroe Pitts, please visit our floral store.