James Gray Kittel, 64 of New Smyrna Beach passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2011 after a courageous 17 month battle with cancer. He was born on October 31, 1946 in Westfield, Massachusetts to Rudolf and Winifred Kittel and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 3:30 at Sugar Mill Country Club. Jim was loved globally as he traveled to seventeen countries as a young electronics engineer working with Gerber Scientific and Hewlett Packard in Orlando. The latter from which he retired after 35 years of the “old HP way”, many of the best years of our lives together. Jim and Patricia aka the Pickleman and Mad Pat also had a gourmet food business for the past eleven years. He and Pat greatly enjoyed participating in the local New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market. Although Jim’s presence made it a fun go-to-place on Saturday mornings. To Jim, everyone had a story to tell. Everyone added value and he had a story for everyone. Jim was a consummate companion and friend. Always anxious to remedy a project. Jim was able to fix anything. He was mechanically inclined too. He was able to build kitchen cabinets, repair screens, sprinklers, boats, cars, and put out fires. His pet peve was “customer service”. Likewise, Jim expected quality service when he was the customer. He loved spending time at his home with his family. Jim especially enjoyed his newly found friends both on the Inlet and in Sugar Mill Country Club. He was crazy about his biggest challenge in retirement -- golf. Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 25 years, Patricia and their sheltie Miss Haley. In Jim’s honor donations may be made to Hospice of Volusia Flagler, 3800 Wood Briar Rd, Port Orange. Thank you for all of your kindnesses. Thanks to everyone who has sent emails, cards, phonecalls and most of all your prayers. He was my hero, my love, our Pic. In honor of Jim’s Celebration of Life dress attire will be golf shorts. Memories may be shared with the family at Baldwincremation.com
In Jim’s honor donations may be made to Hospice of Volusia Flagler, 3800 Wood Briar Rd, Port Orange.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 3:30 at Sugar Mill Country Club. In honor of Jim’s Celebration of Life dress attire will be golf shorts.
The Obituary you composed says it all! Jim was a "wonderful" and "compassionate" gentleman. You were both Blessed with each others love. God Bless you and your family.
and footprints Jimmy left on everyone's heart who knew him. To know him was to love him...his ever engaging smile, his exuberance for life, optimistic, happy go lucky, loving kind of guy. He greeted everyone with his big smile and his "hey how's it going"? If you had the time to talk he had the time to listen!
Mr. Pickleman..he taught us the Gourmet value of Venison, but more importantly to love and embrace life both the good times and the bad. Not to sweat the small stuff, just move on, be happy and to love thy neighbor.
We only knew Jimmy for four short years (seems like much longer). He taught us so much and we feel blessed to have had him be a part of our lives. He will be missed by all who knew him.
"Patricia" we send you our love and deepest sympathy". We are sorry not to be able to participate in his celebration of life. We know it will be AMAZING! Please drink a toast to Jimmy for us!!!
Once again Jim and I worked together as he developed an interest in HP.
After an interview, Jim was hired and started in Orlando. once in Orlando, Jim started on me to move to Fl.
Once I was in Fla, the relationship continued.
Not many people had the ability to balance a strong work ethic, ability to design a practicle joke, have a great sense of humor as well as a strong focus on the customer.
Jim ALWAYS did what was right for the customer while never forgetting who he worked for.
It is difficult for me to think he is gone but knowing he is in a better place gives some peace.
God Bless you Jim you remain in our prayers.
Jims challenge of learning and conquering the game of golf was also special to watch! His enthusiasm and persistence resulted in long booming drives, which he singularly described as a bam, and later in an increasingly competent short game. We, and his other fellow duffers, also enjoyed his effervescent presence during our post game sessions when we individually told tall stories about our best golf shots of the day!
Most of all, we will remember Jim because of who he was: a friend, a good neighbor, and a genuine person with absolutely no biases! Jim treated everyone with dignity and respect and we will sorely miss him!
Im very sorry for your loss. Jim was a very much loved He touched many lives. A hope that I wanted to share with you can be found in your Bible at John 5:28,29. It states soon God will resurect to life and this earth those whom he chooses. And soon after that he will eliminate death all together (Isa 25:8). Until then may you be comforted by the "God of all comfort". (2Cor 1:3)
Ann & Chris
I'll always remember Jim sweating over the BBQ grill at the HP picnics. He never hesitated to tgake care of his fellow HP employees.
Pick was a real pleasure to be around. May he rest in peace. If anybody deserves it, he does.
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Mary Ann Bost
AA to Dave Rickard when Jim reported to Dave. Good times.
God holds out a wonderful hope for all those in the grave. At John 11;25 Jesus said "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. HE THAT EXERCIES FAITH IN ME, EVEN THOUGH HE DIES, WILL COME TO LIFE."
The ine accounts of ones in the bible who were resurrected are a guarantee that the resurrection of others is possible. God can bring back tthe billions of dead he holds within his perfect memory. (JOHN 5-28,29) What a blessed reason to hope in God!
With the gift of your memories of James they will bring you great joy. When a loved one becomes a memory that memory turn into a treasure.
Talking, writing, and reading the information in the bible about the resurrection will help with the grieving process.
May you and yours lean on Jehovah God for the strength you need at this sad time. (PSALMS 83-18)
Agape
M.L.Hurt