Thomas Elvin "Hoss" Hitt, Sr. - Colorado

Thomas Elvin Hitt, Sr., 87, of Grand Junction, Colo., died Sept. 9, 2001. He was a resident at Family Health West in Fruita. Born Dec. 8, 1913, he was the son of Thomas J. and Sudie Hitt of Senath. He spent his childhood in Missouri and Northeast Arkansas, graduating from Leachville High School in 1937. He graduated from Capital College of Pharmacy in Denver, Colo., and became a National Pharmacy Board Registered Pharmacist in 1938. While growing up, he worked in the Leachville and Manila Drug Stores.

He married Florence N. Davis on July 3, 1943, in Lakewood, Colo., and lived and worked in Denver, until 1942 when he entered the U.S. Army where he was a staff sergeant and served as a pharmacist and x-ray technician at a military base in Newfoundland, Canada, until his discharge in late 1945. After his discharge, Hitt returned to work as a pharmacist in Denver until 1954 when he moved to Glenwood Springs, Colo. In Glenwood, he was active in the First United Methodist Church serving in a variety of lay positions as well as serving eight years on the Glenwood Springs City Council and as mayor pro-tem. When asked by Colorado State Governor John Love, he served seven years on the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy retiring as president of the Board.

In June of 1976, he was awarded the greatest honor of his life, the coveted A.H. Robbins "Bowl of Hygeia" Award. This award is presented annually to the most outstanding community pharmacist in all 50 states. After retiring, Mr. Hitt moved to the Grand Junction area in 1979.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction and a 50-year member of George Washington Lodge No. 161 of Denver, Colo.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Florence Hitt; two sons, Tom Jr. of Rifle, Colo., and Jim of Salt Lake City, Utah; a sister, Thelma, and a brother, Woodrow, both of Leachville; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Foreman officiating. The cremated remains were interred in the Orchard Mesa Cemetery.

The family requests anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider the First United Methodist Church, 522 White Avenue, Grand Junction, Colo., or Family Health West, Alzheimer's Unit, 228 North Cherry, Fruita, Colo. 81521.