James A. “Jim” Vitt, 82, of rural Parsons passed away at 11:44 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, 2025, at his home.
James August Vitt was born on Jan. 27, 1942, to Albert and Agnes (Callahan) Vitt in St. Paul. He grew up and attended school in St. Paul, graduating from St. Paul High School in 1960.
Most of his life, Jim was a farmer and rancher. For many years, he also worked at SEK Auto.
A lifelong Catholic, Jim was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the American Cowboys Rodeo Association (ACRA).
In Jim’s younger years, he participated in rodeo as a team roper with his son, Donnie, and friends. He enjoyed numerous planned and unplanned trips with his best friend, Richard. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family. He loved sitting on the front porch with his family and his dog, Roscoe, watching the crops grow and the birds.
On Oct. 27, 1962, Jim married Judith Ann “Judy” Diediker at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include a son, Donnie Vitt of Springdale, Arkansas; two daughters, Sherry Seibert and her husband, Kevin, of rural Parsons, and Shannon Pool and her husband, Nick, of Hugoton; eight grandchildren, Gus Vitt and his wife, Hailey, Roper Vitt and his wife, Emily, Trace Vitt, Shayla Hibbert and her husband, Zach, Hunter Seibert and his wife, Addison, Baylea Kimbel and her husband, Braden, Chelsea Mader and her husband, Jarek, and Tripp Pool and his wife, Raven; 15 great-grandchildren and one on the way; three sisters, Louise Yockey of Parsons, Rosie Harmon and her husband, Bob, of St. Paul and Dorothy Volmer of Grove, Oklahoma; and a sister-in-law, Regina Vitt-Sprague of Parsons. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Catherine Grillot; brothers, Edward Vitt and Raymond Vitt; a sister-inlaw, Marilyn Vitt; and brothers-in-law, Charlie Grillot, Dick Volmer and Carl Yockey.
The funeral Mass was at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons.
The family suggests memorials to St. Patrick Catholic Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
