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John E. Hitt Shreveport, LA QCWA # 16733 Chapter 85 |
SHREVEPORT, LA - John Hitt, age 88, died November 15th after a lengthy illness. During his 32 years employed at KSLA-TV, John served as Vice President of Engineering/Chief Engineer. He helped install KSLA, Shreveport's first television station, in 1953. The studios were located in the Washington Youree Hotel for several years. He assisted with the installation of the new studios located on Fairfield Avenue.
John enjoyed several hobbies. One of his favorites was flying radio controlled model airplanes. He was a member of "SHARKS," radio controlled airplane club. He was the first President when the club was organized in 1965. John was a radio amateur extra class "ham" operator for 65 years with call letters N5JH. He was also a member of ARCOS (Amateur Radio Club of Shreveport) and a member of QCWA (Quarter Century Wireless Association).
John enjoyed riding motorcycles and enjoyed many trips with his four sons, who also had motorcycles. It was quite a sight to see five "Hitts" riding down the street together. He rode his cycle until age 82 when Lois said, "Time to quit."
During WWII John proudly served 2 ? years with the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was placed in Radio Intelligence because of his outstanding expertise with Morse code. He was stationed in New Guinea and several other islands in the Pacific. In a secret location in the jungle in New Guinea, as a code operator, he intercepted and copied Japanese code. These messages were "de-coded" and the information was given to General MacArthur's headquarters. Many of MacArthur's missions were planned from these messages.
John was a faithful member of North Highlands United Methodist Church since 1959. He was responsible for the installation of the church's first audio system. Later he installed pew speaker boxes (made by church member Bob Dykes) and headphones for the hard of hearing. Many years later he used this for his own hearing difficulties. After he retired, Lois and he enjoyed traveling in their motorhome for 20 years. Many times their children and grandchildren traveled with them. They visited every state in the U.S. several times and Canada 3 times. This gave them all such wonderful memories. Other travels included trips to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala, Hawaii, England, Holland, and best of all the tour to the Holy Land in 1988.
John is preceded in death by his parents; beloved son Danny Hitt; much loved daughter-in-law Susan O'Neal Hitt; and newborn grandson Allen Edward Hitt.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and "love of his life" Lois, his wife of 69 ? years, sons: David Hitt and wife Janice; Steven Hitt; Dennis Hitt and wife Ellen; daughter: Nancy Hitt, and sister: Mrs. Chloee Flournoy of Mineola, TX. Surviving grandchildren: Susan Poe, Elizabeth Hitt, Rebecca Lewis, Emily Hitt, Amy Villerreal, Michael and Andy Hitt; great-grandchildren: Kayla and Alayna Field, Ella and Trevor Poe, Troy Villerreal and Rowan Lewis.
To honor John's wishes, there will be no memorial service. Following cremation, his ashes will be kept to be combined with Lois' ashes, at her death. Visitation with the family will be in parlor of the North Highlands Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 16th from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. No flowers, please.
Memorials may be made to your church, favorite charity, or "just help someone in need." The family thanks all our friends who have prayed for and supported us during this difficult time. An extra special thanks to Dr. Roy Fleniken for his excellent care and friendship. Thanks to Renee and all the nurses and aides on Wing 3 at the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Bossier City. Your kindness and wonderful care is appreciated by the entire family. Thank you ALL.
"I will always remember your sweet smile and wink when you called me your 'Pretty Pie Doll,' your pet name for me since before we married. Our love and life together was VERY SPECIAL. I was so blessed to have you for my best friend and partner in life. What great memories I have of our special love and all the good times we had together. Rest in peace, Sweetheart, until we are together again."
Revelation 21: 4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."
Published in Shreveport Times on Nov. 16, 2011