John Tuitt

TUITT, John David formerly of Hickory Corners, Michigan, age 90, passed away Wednesday April 15, 2020 following a lengthy illness. John, or Jack as he was known to his family and friends, resided at a Memory Care facility in Bradenton, Florida at the time of his death. Jack, the son of Frank and Virginia (Simonds) Tuitt, was born on May 7, 1929 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He and his wife Barbara lived many places over the course of their life and eventually retired to the Kalamazoo area in 1986. Jack graduated from St. Augustine High School in Kalamazoo, then went on to graduate from Michigan State College with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. He served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during the Korean War as a fighter pilot. Following the war, he went on to fly transport aircraft in the New York Air National Guard and as a Recruiting Officer in the Air Force Reserve, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following his active duty service, Jack embarked on a 34 year career as a pilot for United Airlines. Jack was able to fly all over this country, and eventually, as an international pilot all over the world. In his retirement Jack enjoyed restoring and showing antique wooden boats. He also enjoyed playing tennis. Jack and Barbara (Coriell) Bollman were united in marriage on October 27, 1956 in New York. Jack is survived by his daughter, Molly A. (Kenneth N., Jr.) Rheynard of Cumming, Georgia; two sons, Michael F. (Mary) Tuitt of Kernersville, NC and James R. (Karen) Tuitt of Bradenton, FL; three loving grandchildren, Tiffany (Blaine) Sumpter, Kyle and Bryce Tuitt; and great-grandson Axel Zeke Sumpter. Jack was preceded in death by his wife and his parents. The family will have a Memorial Service for Jack later this summer