Lieutenant Colonel Joseph L. "Jack" Pitts, Jr., age 89, of Kernersville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 AM Friday, November 6, 2026 at Nativity Catholic Church, 1061 Folly Road, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM Thursday, with a 6:30 PM Vigil Service, at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston.

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Jack was the son of Joseph L. Pitts, Sr. and Mayme Platt Pitts. He attended Bishop England High School, graduating in 1955, where he proudly played football all four years. During his youth in Charleston, he met the love of his life, Virginia Fowler, who would become his devoted wife and partner in life.

Jack attended The Citadel on a football scholarship and graduated in 1959. That same year, he married his beloved Virginia and began a distinguished career in the United States Army as an artillery officer. Over the course of his 20 years of military service, he held numerous leadership positions and proudly served his country in Vietnam and Korea. He retired from the Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Following his military career, Jack joined Port Oil in 1977 and later worked for Speedway convenience stores, where he remained for 24 years until his retirement. While he enjoyed a successful professional life, his greatest passions were always his family and his faith.

A devoted Catholic, Jack answered a calling to serve the Church as a deacon. He faithfully ministered to others for many years, offering guidance, compassion, and spiritual support to countless individuals until his retirement from the diaconate in 2019. His faith was the foundation of his life and a source of strength and inspiration to all who knew him.

Jack is survived by his children: Michael Pitts and his wife, Jan; Kelly Duggan and her husband, James; and Sean Pitts and his wife, Sharon. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Erin Radosevich and her husband, Daniel; Ryan Pitts and his wife, Ali; Andrew Duggan and his wife, Jessica; Jamie Brown and her husband, Keith; Gibson Pitts; Joseph Pitts; and William Pitts and his wife, Aubrey. He was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren, who brought him immense joy. He is further survived by his sister, Cheryl Clair; his sister-in-law, Norma Callen, and her husband, Monte; and his niece, Sarah Pitts, the daughter of his late brother, Robert "Bobby" Pitts.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia Fowler Pitts; his father, Joseph L. Pitts, Sr.; his mother, Mayme Platt Pitts; and his brother, Robert "Bobby" Pitts.

Jack will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to God, his country, and his family. He led by example, serving others with humility, integrity, and compassion. Whether as a soldier, husband, father, grandfather, deacon, or friend, he touched countless lives and leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and love.

His family finds comfort in knowing that he is reunited with Virginia, the love of his life, and that his enduring example will continue to guide future generations.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." - Matthew 25:23