James E. Pitts Jr., age 83, of Bradley passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. 

Jim was born January 17, 1939 in Anna, the son of James E. Sr. & Cleoria (Forrester) Pitts. James married Virginia DeCarlo on April 25, 1959.

He was a foreman for Azzarelli Construction and Loitz Brothers Construction. He was also a bus driver and was involved in the special Olympics and coached basketball in the past with BBCHS. 

James enjoyed cooking out, traveling, reading, driving the bus, and loved animals. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jim served in the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves. He was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Virginia Pitts of Bradley; one son and daughter-in-law, Larry & Marilyn Pitts of Hope Mills, NC; one daughter, DeAnna Bach of Bradley; one brother, Michael Pitts of Kankakee; nine grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren. James is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Gina Mason; and one sister, Judy Alder.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the 11 a.m. funeral Mass on Friday, December 2, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services.

Memorials may be made to the family wishes. Arrangements by Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais.