James (Jim) R. Pitts
On July 20, 2024, the State of Texas lost one of its most distinguished, loyal, and dedicated citizens and servants with the passing of James (Jim) R. Pitts. Jim was a man of many talents whose service to his community and the State of Texas as the State Representative for Texas House District 10 for 22 years will be remembered for his commitment to the citizens of his district and all Texans. He was not only an outstanding legislator but also an extraordinary human being. Jim Pitts made a difference in the lives of others, and his legacy will not be forgotten.
Jim was born in Dallas on January 1, 1947, the much younger identical twin of Roy and Agnes Pitts. John, the older twin, and Jim were a total surprise to their parents and their older sister, Rosemary. They grew up in Dallas and graduated from Jesuit High School. Jim attended Southern Methodist University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1968, a Master of Business Administration in 1969, and a Juris Doctorate in 1972.
During his years at SMU, Jim met Evelyn Eastham, a native of Waxahachie. Their courtship culminated in their marriage on May 22, 1971. Together, Jim and Evelyn had three wonderful children: daughters Duffy and Ashley, and son Ryan. The family made their home in Waxahachie, where Jim began his law career as an associate at the Law Office of Lynn G. Griffith. In 1984, Jim opened his own law office in the historical Ellis County Jail at the corner of North Rogers and Water Street. His office, from which he served many clients from Waxahachie and surrounding areas, remained there for more than 20 years. Jim continued to practice law until shortly before his death. He also owned Ellis County Title Company, where he served as Chairman of the Board and legal counsel. Evelyn’s untimely death in an automobile accident on June 6, 2004, was devastating to Jim and the family.
Early in adulthood, Jim became involved in his community by joining the Waxahachie Lions Club and the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce. He later served on the Chamber board and became President of the Waxahachie Chamber Board of Directors in 1991. Jim was named Outstanding Citizen of Waxahachie in 1999. He was actively involved as a member of the Board of Directors for Citizens National Bank, as a director of Sims Library, a past president and treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Presbyterian Children’s Services, a member of the Community Advisory Council for Scottish Rite Learning Center, the Waxahachie Foundation, the board of Broadway Dallas, and a board member of ZACH Theatre in Austin. Jim also served as a member of the Baylor Scott & White Medical Board in Waxahachie, later becoming president of that board. He loved being involved in the growth of his community by serving wherever he was needed.
Jim’s first foray into politics was winning a seat on the Waxahachie Independent School District’s Board of Trustees in 1978, a position in which he served for 14 years, including as President of the Board. In 1991, the Texas Legislature, in that redistricting year, created a new legislative district composed of Ellis and Hill Counties. In 1992, Jim Pitts filed paperwork to run for State Representative for that new district. In November, Jim won that election and was sworn into office in January 1993.
One of the most important goals of Representative Jim Pitts throughout his tenure was to provide good, constructive, and active constituent services. Jim maintained a local district office for the entire time he served. He made sure to involve the citizens of both Ellis and Hill Counties in state government by working with these residents to solve their problems, answer their questions, and provide easy access to government services, as well as to him personally. Jim organized and participated in contacting all the school superintendents in House District 10 as part of a committee to keep him aware of school district problems, their wants and needs, and their concerns with House legislation. Very few school districts across Texas had personal access to their State Representative as Ellis, Hill, and later Henderson counties did.
During the 22 years Jim represented District 10, he served on various Texas House Committees and served under three different Speakers of the Texas House. During the interim of the 78th Legislative Session, Rep. Pitts was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, undoubtedly the most influential committee in the Texas House. Jim’s expertise in finance gave him the knowledge and ability to lead the committee that sets the budget for each state agency as chair of the House Appropriations Committee during the 79th, 81st, 82nd, and 83rd Legislative Sessions. As chair of this committee, Jim demonstrated his understanding of the process of making wise, unbiased, and fair decisions for how the funds available to the state are expended. Jim was named one of Texas’ Ten Best Legislators in 2005 by Texas Monthly Magazine and again in 2009 and 2013. Even after Jim retired from office, his knowledge and understanding of the appropriations process were sought after by those who followed him in that position.
Jim was always involved in his local district, especially with legislation that impacted the community. Less than one week before Jim was sworn into office in 1993, the historic Hill County Courthouse burned. That gave Jim the opportunity to work with Hill County officials to secure funds for the rebuilding of their courthouse. It was a successful endeavor, and Jim was able to celebrate with Hill County residents when that beautiful courthouse reopened. He was also instrumental in securing funding for the upgrades and renovation of the Ellis County Courthouse and saw that effort come to fruition, enhancing one of the most photographed courthouses in Texas. A group of local ladies, members of Gardeners Unlimited, approached Jim about gaining the title of Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas for Waxahachie. After much fact-finding, it was discovered that no other city in Texas held that title, so as a result of Jim Pitts’ House Resolution, Waxahachie became the Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas in perpetuity; no other city may claim that title! Additionally, the widening of Highway 287 Bypass into four lanes from the Johnson County line through Ennis became a reality due to Representative Jim Pitts’ efforts. Many other projects that benefited both Ellis and Hill counties came to fruition. In the legislative redistricting process of 2010, House District 10 changed again, with Hill County being removed and a portion of Henderson County added to Jim’s legislative domain. This gave Jim the opportunity to serve many citizens of Henderson County, including his mother and sister.
After serving 11 terms in the Texas House, in 2014, Jim Pitts decided not to run for office again and formed Jim Pitts Consulting, where he continued to work on key issues in the legislature. The accomplishments of Jim Pitts, both as a member of the Texas House of Representatives and as a resident and citizen of Waxahachie and Ellis County, are too numerous to count. Jim had friends all across Texas because of his outgoing personality, his interest in others, and his desire to serve his fellow Texans. Those who survive him have been blessed to have him in their lives. The good memories abound.
Some of the most precious memories his children have are of how involved and committed to his family he was. He loved spending time with his family at Cedar Creek Lake and in Park City, Utah. He was an enthusiastic supporter of his children and grandchildren, attending their sporting events, dance recitals, and school programs. Jim never missed an opportunity to plan a party, set a beautiful table loaded with delicious delicacies, and provide his guests with a memorable occasion. He truly was an outstanding host!
Survivors include: Daughter Duffy Bloemendal and her husband, Dr. Scott Bloemendal, and their sons, Jackson, Owen, and Will of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter Ashley Pitts and her daughter, Margaret, of Dallas, Texas; son James Ryan Pitts and his wife, Faith Anne, and their daughter, Evelyn, and son, James Reagan, of Waxahachie, Texas; Jim’s twin, John Robert Pitts and his wife, Mary Bain of Houston, and their children, John Pitts Jr. and his wife Lesley, and their children John III, Sterling, and Caroline of Austin, Texas, and Jamie Pitts and his wife Brittany of Elkhart, Indiana; nephew Mike Burns and his wife, Molly, and their children, Layne, Bridget, and Matthew of Mineola, Texas; his sister-in-law, Ellen Zinn and her husband, Tim Zinn of Charlotte, North Carolina, and their daughter, Dr. Jacqueline Zinn and her husband, Dr. John Lesher of Charlotte, North Carolina. Jim was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn Pitts; his parents, Agnes and Roy Pitts; his sister, Rosemary Burns and her husband, Bob Burns, and their daughter, Erin Burns; and his in-laws Frances and Jack Eastham. The family would like to extend a special thank you to those who were by his side during his thirteenmonth battle with cancer: Jesse Betancourt, Carolyn Jaynes, Maria S. Villela, Tom Holden, Colby Niemeier, Jaki Burks, and Dr. A. David McCollum.
Jim Pitts was a kind, loving man, a devoted husband, an excellent father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, an experienced and fair attorney, an effective and well-respected lawmaker, and a treasured friend. Jim’s passing leaves a void in our society but his impacts and legacy will last forever. Former State Representative Virginia Duff, who served Ellis County between 1951 and 1963, often said of Jim Pitts, “He was not just a politician, Jim was a true statesman.”
A Celebration of Life service for Jim Pitts will be held on Wednesday, July 31, at 4:00 p.m. in the Shaeffer Chapel, on the campus of Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University) 1260 Savell Circle, in Waxahachie. There will be a reception following at the Waxahachie Civic Center from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Crape Myrtle Room. Services and burial are under the direction of Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home in Waxahachie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim Pitts’ name to Baylor Scott & White – Dallas Foundation, benefitting the Baylor Scott & White – Waxahachie Hospital Expansion Project; Nicholas B. Sims Library or the Waxahachie Foundation. Please write “In memory of Jim Pitts” on the check or gift designation box online.
