James A. Vitt

James A. "Jim" Vitt, 82, of rural Parsons, passed away at 11:44 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2025, at his home.

James August Vitt was born on January 27, 1942, to Albert and Agnes (Callahan) Vitt in St. Paul, Kansas.  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 October 27, 1962, Jim and Judith Ann "Judy" Diediker were united in marriage at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include:

One son – Donnie Vitt of Springdale, Arkansas

Two daughters – Sherry Seibert and her husband, Kevin, of rural Parsons, Kansas

Shannon Pool and her husband, Nick, of Hugoton, Kansas

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

Fifteen great-grandchildren and one on the way

Three sisters – Louise Yockey of Parsons, Kansas

Rosie Harmon and her husband, Bob, of St. Paul, Kansas

Dorothy Volmer of Grove, Oklahoma

One sister-in-law – Regina Vitt-Sprague of Parsons, Kansas

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Catherine Grillot; brothers, Edward Vitt and Raymond Vitt; sister-in-law, Marilyn Vitt; and brothers-in-law, Charlie Grillot, Dick Volmer, and Carl Yockey.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 16, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons.  The rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.  The family will receive friends following the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick Catholic Church.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.