Bruce Fitts
June 18, 2017
Bruce Fitts, 90, passed peacefully at his home on Sunday, June 18, 2017. A U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII and practicing attorney for 63 years, Bruce was a graduate of Wichita High School East, The University of Kansas (BA) where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and The University of Oklahoma (JD). He was involved with numerous organizations including nine years as the Sedgwick County Chairman of the March of Dimes.
Bruce served in the Pacific Theatre sweeping mines in the Inland Sea of Japan where he was one of the first Americans in Hiroshima. He returned to the University of Kansas after receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy. There he helped organize fraternity parties with a highlight of securing Duke Ellington as the band for one. His love of OU football was cultivated while attending law school.
Bruce began practicing law in 1954 and was still practicing at the time of his death. He held numerous positions with the Bar Association and the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association (KIOGA). He served on the Board of Directors of the Wichita Board of Trade, the Rose Hill State Bank, and various petroleum corporations. He was appointed to the Legal Committee of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission by Governor Mike Hayden. Bruce was proud to be the Sedgwick County Chairman of the March of Dimes for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and the County Chairman for the National Foundation supervising care and treatment for victims of polio from 1956-1965.
His love of people, life, and laughter will be missed tremendously.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Verna Fitts; and sister, Wynema Lewis. Bruce is survived by his wife, Bonita Fitts; children, Becky (Steve) Mason, Jeff (Terri) McMillan, Carrie (Jim Loucks) Reichenberger, Stephanie (Jesus) Cisneros, and Brad (Shannon) Fitts; grandsons Aaron (Kathryn Mascorella) Reichenberger, and James Garrett Stapleton; and great-grandson Fitts Anthony Reichenberger.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67208. A private graveside service for family will be held. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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Fair winds and following seas sailor. “Boatswain… Standby to pipe the side… Shipmate’s going Ashore…” Thank you Bruce for your service to this nation. U.S. Navy, WWII.