Don Coker Pitts was born in Muskogee, OK on May 3, 1930. Don was shy of age 94 when he passed in Victoria, TX following a prolonged stay with the compassionate Dornberg Hospice Center on January 21, 2024. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 5-8PM at Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10AM at Grace Lutheran Church, with burial following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Parker Mitchiner, Gary Thomas, Taylor Bridges, Ian Rice, Kyle Rice and William Rice.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Myrtle Mae Bishop Pitts and Earl Cassey Pitts, and brother Robert Pitts. Don is survived by his four children with Betty Lou Pitts-Key, Terry Lynn Zapalac and husband Sonny Zapalac, Thomas Charles Pitts and wife Angela Pitts, Don Gregory Pitts and wife Debbie Pitts, and Debra Diane Pitts Mitchiner and husband James Leslie Mitchiner. Don’s legacy extends to 8 grandchildren, Gary Wayne Thomas, Karly Victoria Mitchiner, Parker James Mitchiner, Nekita Aungelique Pitts, Annalise Victoria Pitts, William Rice, Kyle Rice and Ian Rice. Don also left behind several great grandchildren that will carry on his legacy.
Don served the U.S. military with 2 terms in the U.S. Navy from 1949 to 1954. While in the Navy, Don highlighted his self-taught extraordinary musical talent by playing and recording with the Navy Band, called the Deacons. Don’s show name was “Tex,” and he played along with a famous lead singer, known as the star in “Herbie,” Dean Jones. The Deacons recorded a vinyl album, and Don chronicled that exciting time in his life in a treasured family album made available at the service today, along with his treasured Gibson E Series guitar. Don was asked by Dean to follow him to Hollywood after the Navy, but Don chose to move to TX and start his civilian career and his family. Don became an airplane mechanic at Pan American Airways in San Antonio, TX and eventually moved to Victoria, TX where he worked and retired as an instrument mechanic at Union Carbide in Seadrift, TX in 1992.
Don had many names from the many that adored him: Dad, Don, Poppie, Pappa Pitts, Tex, Mr. Pitts, Uncle Don, Party Don, Tiny Tank and Daddy. Dad’s musical talent was rare with an ability to play more than 7 instruments, which he played “by ear” or self-taught by listening to the tune, figuring out the instrument and going on to play the guitar, keyboard, piano, bass, organ, accordion, and the ukulele. He was always smiling and made sure his children and grandchildren learned to play and sing together or for the community. His children grew up with numerous “jam sessions” together and with friends, which they thought was the “norm,” and what all families did.
Don also served his church as a member of Grace Lutheran Church for 60 years. His leadership as a church Elder, helped to onboard 5 pastors, and he served as a youth group leader coordinating multiple trips to Wimberly, TX for youth camps. His involvement forged endearing relationships with families from the church that formed many happy memories between the families over the years.
Don’s ability to connect with others and have fun extended to his love for fishing, dancing, camping and boating. Don loved to crappie fish on Lake Coletta and was a member of several clubs including the Dacosta Dance Club, Square Dance Club, and a Camping Club that all brought him much joy and extended his social relationships with so many club members over the years. Don took his children and grandchildren fishing and camping and loved the outdoors and teaching them all that it had to offer.
Don’s children would be remiss if we did not recognize the care and compassion given to him by the nurses, providers, and team at the Dornburg Hospice Center of Compassion in Victoria. The family would like to recommend that if you want to celebrate Don’s life through a charity contribution, that you consider Dornburg Center of Compassion, and/or Don’s caring church family at Grace Lutheran Church in Victoria, TX.
Don would want everyone here celebrating his life, to pay it forward by being present, loving your family, and making others smile and happy to enjoy each other. The family hopes his love for life and laughter will live on in all of us.
