Graveside services for Glenn Harrell Pitts, 80, of Fresno, California, will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Indianola City Cemetery under the direction of Burton Funeral Home of Indianola.

Glenn is survived by his wife Carol Ann Pitts of Hattiesburg, MS; his daughter Erin Pitts and her husband Erik Bergstrom of Fort Collins, CO; his close friends Tina, Jimmy, Jocelyn, and Evelyn Hanson of Fresno, CA; his close friends Tom & Denise Taylor; his granddaughter Tristan Lak Sheldon, her fiancé Seth East and their son Jensen of Hollister, MO; his sister Dola Lantz of St. Peters, MO; and his sister Nellie Forester of St. Louis, MO. He was preceded in death by his son, Glenn Eric Pitts of St. Charles, MO.

Glenn died of heart failure in Saint Agnes Medical Center after he had a series of falls at home. Thankfully, Carol Ann and Erin were able to visit him several times before he passed.

Glenn and Carol Ann (CA), met in Mississippi. While living in Lubbock, Texas they enjoyed country dancing almost every night. They married in 1975, and Glenn's work moved them to Brazil and ultimately to Fresno, California, where they raised their daughter Erin.

Glenn was born in the Missouri Ozarks, and hand-picked cotton growing up. He graduated from the School of the Ozarks in 1965, and worked in the agricultural chemical industry after graduation until he retired. His knowledge of agriculture and background in farming set him apart in the industry. He worked his way up in Monsanto, Helena Chemical Company, and MicroFlo from the factory, to sales, and finally as the Western Regional Manager. He was well-respected amongst growers and colleagues as a great boss, mentor, and friend.

Glenn finally retired in 2006, and celebrated with colleagues, friends, and family at a surprise party in Fresno. He made many friends across the USA during his working years, and many have sent fond remembrances of his mentorship.

Glenn loved to take Erin camping, waterskiing, and snowboarding. Glenn also passed his love for music and dancing on to her. One of her fondest memories is Texas Two-Stepping with her dad at her wedding in 2013.

Throughout his life, Glenn loved hunting and fishing all over the world including Canada, Mexico, Montana, Texas, and California. In fact, he kept every hunting and fishing license he ever had since 1965, and the file is 6 inches thick!

In retirement, Glenn turned his attention to becoming the best neighbor. He would share his home-grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and okra up and down the street. He would smoke turkeys for birthday parties and graduations, and gift smoked hams for Easter. He also loved teaching the neighborhood kids about his garden, often finding Jocelyn and Evie helping him harvest on hot summer weekends. He made strong friendships with many different people in his life, and all of them remember him for his generosity of time and talent.  He broke records for giving at the Central California Blood Center, and his final act of generosity was as an organ donor.

Glenn Harrell Pitts was an extraordinary gardener, a trusted mentor, a brilliant mind, a caring friend, an excellent cook, and a great dad. Glenn has been cremated, and his remains will be laid to rest in Indianola City Cemetery in Indianola, Mississippi. Erin also plans to take some of his ashes on a canoe trip on the Eleven Point River, where he grew up hunting and fishing. There will also be a memorial service in Fresno, California on Saturday July 9, 2022 – RSVP here: https://forms.gle/wscnZXAiCH26W7Vw6

In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider donating blood and becoming a registered organ donor: https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up