Jammie W. Litty (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Jammie W. Litty was born April 25, 1933 in Fordland, Missouri to Wallace Smith and Olive Verbina Burks Litty. He passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla, Missouri. He was ninety-one years and eleven months of age. He was raised on a farm and graduated from Fordland High School.
On May 31, 1952, he was united in marriage to Jeanetta Riddle. They enjoyed almost seventy years of marriage prior to her passing on April 23, 2022.
In addition to his wife Jeanetta, he is also preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Olive Litty.
Jammie is survived by his son Jim Litty and his wife Patricia of Lebanon, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jessica Litty and her husband Michael, James Matthew Litty and Rochelle and Jacob Litty and his wife Jes, all of Lebanon, Missouri; four great-grandchildren, Isabel, Joseph, Janessa and Marley; his brother, Greg Litty and his wife Sondra of Corpus Christi, Texas; and many wonderful friends.
Following high school, he worked at Boeing in Wichita, Kansas before serving in the Korean War from 1952-1954 as a Staff Sergeant. Following his time in the service, he and Jeanetta went back to Fordland, Missouri where they owned and operated Litty’s Market and two school buses.
In 1965 they moved to Seymour, Missouri where he went to work for the H.D. Lee Company as an engineer, and later a plant manager.
In 1969, they moved to Lebanon where he managed the two Lebanon plants and eventually becoming Director of Manufacturing for the Western Division. He had previously been plant manager of the Hartville and Seymour facilities.
In 1980, he purchased SmithCo Transport Company and started JKL Trucking, eventually selling both companies in 1987.
Jammie owned Osagian Canoes and Mid-West Raft Distributors from 1987 to 2003, selling domestically and internationally.
A community leader, he served on the Missouri State University Board, assisted an SMSU athlete, and was active in the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding member of the Lebanon Ambassadors.
A longtime member of the Lions Club, he also served as president of the local chapter and District Governor. He was instrumental in organizing other Lion’s Clubs around Southern Missouri.
Jammie was active in the Democratic Party and active with the Lebanon Antique Car Club.
Up until the time of his death, he managed Litty Rental Properties and remained engaged in local activities. One of his favorite activities was visiting with his friends at the The Lunch Box Cafe in Lebanon. He especially enjoyed being a part of the H.D. Lee reunions that were held here.
In November 2024, he was inducted into the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce Wall of Honor at Cowan Civic Center.
As we bid farewell to Jammie, we celebrate a life lived to the fullest, marked by an enduring commitment to his community. He exemplified leadership that will continue to inspire all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 5 p.m. in Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon. A visitation will be held following the service. Burial will be held at a later date in Mount Rose Memorial Park.
A memorial has been established to the Lion's Club and donations maybe left at the funeral home.
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