Ralph R. Hitt

Ralph R. Hitt October 5, 1916 – August 23, 2005 Ralph R. Hitt, 88, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 23, 2005 in a local hospital. Services will be at 11:00 AM Friday, August 26 at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Robbins officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Thursday, August 25 from 6 to 8:00 PM at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque. Ralph was born October 5, 1916 in Buckner, Texas to Charles Henry Hitt and Jessie Jewell Nelson Hitt. Ralph grew up in the Weatherford area and later attended Weatherford Jr. College, Texas A&M and TCU. On September 21, 1940, he married the love of his life of 64 years, Iris Fay Smith, in Fort Worth. During WW II, he served in the Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot from 1942 to 1946. After the war, they moved from the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to Houston where Ralph began his 32 year career with the Veterans Administration. In 1960, he transferred to the Waco Regional Office of the VA where he was a personnel officer. Ralph was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and served Austin Avenue United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher, choir member and church photographer. He had a love of photography and enjoyed sharing his hobby with others. Following retirement, Ralph had a satisfying second career photographing weddings with Fay as wedding coordinator. Ralph was considered an excellent communicator and enjoyed a long association with Toastmasters International. He also produced an annual Christmas letter, The Hitt Parade, from 1953 to 2000. Ralph loved family gatherings and was the catalyst for many reunions on both sides of the family. He delighted in serving others: through the American Red Cross member of the 15 gallon club, the church and Meals on Wheels. He will be remembered as a good man, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who always set a good example for others to follow. He loved everyone and never met a stranger. As his health declined, Ralph was fortunate to receive wonderfully compassionate and loving care from his devoted wife. She kept her solemn vow: in sickness and in health, till death do us part. The family also wishes to thank caretakers Diane Potts, Mattie Hicks and Georgia McLennan who were a wonderful help to Mom in recent years. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, brother, Lindell, and sisters, Helen Hitt Chapman and Frances Hitt Hamilton. Survivors include his wife Fay; son, Larry Hitt and wife, Patti; daughter, Candace Hitt Love and husband, Gary; grandchildren, John, Philip and Meredith Hitt, Rachel Love Betz and husband, David, Amanda Love; great-grandchildren, Bethany Yeager and Henry Betz, sister, Sara Hitt Harris and many other relatives and close friends. Donations may be made in Ralph’s name to the Nancy Hinson Scholarship Fund or Meals on Wheels both at Austin Avenue Methodist Church or The American Red Cross. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey