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Tommy W. Stites

Paducah, Ky. Sep. 04, 1947 | Oct. 17, 2019
Paducah, Ky. | Sep. 04, 1947 | Oct. 17, 2019

Tommy W. Stites, age 72, of Paducah, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Ray & Kay Hospice Care Center in Paducah.

 

Tommy was born on September 4, 1947 in Cairo, Illinois to the late William and Martha Myatt Stites. Tommy took a lot of pride in his faith and was very proud of being a man who had read the bible cover to cover.  He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church but also attended Reidland United Methodist Church with his wife, Rita.  Tommy and Rita met at Lourdes Hospital where Rita worked and Tommy volunteered and found they had a similar history supporting the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.  Tommy will always be remembered as a man with an amazing sense of humor, often referred to as a “rascal” by close family and friends.  He was outgoing and friendly with everyone and would gladly give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.  He enjoyed playing golf at Paxton Park and won the club championship.  He was an active member of the Paducah Veterans of Foreign Wars.

 

Tommy was also a decorated Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, serving 30 years before his retirement.  His retirement ceremony program stated the following about his career: “Lieutenant Commander Stites’ hometown is Paducah, KY.  His first assignment after completion of Yeoman “A” School in Bainbridge, MD was at Commander, Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, VA in 1967.  He was released from active duty in 1970.  In 1973, Lieutenant Commander Stites returned to active duty as YNSN and reported to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FOUR (VQ-4) in Patuxent River, MD.  IN 1975, he served onboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) homeported in Norfolk, VA as a Yeoman Second Class.  Following his tour onboard the KENNEDY, he was selected to be the Leading Petty Officer in the Immediate Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC.  In November 1976, Lieutenant Commander Stites was promoted to Petty Officer First Class.  His next assignment was as the Administrative Assistant to the Director, Surface Warfare Officer Distribution Division, (Pers-41).  This assignment was followed by his promotion to Chief Petty Officer in 1980 and assignment as the Ship’s Secretary/Personnel Officer onboard the USS WORDEN (CG 18) homeported in Pearl Harbor, HI.  Lieutenant Commander Stites was selected for commissioning in June 1982 as a Limited Duty Officer (Administration).  Following his commissioning, Lieutenant Commander Stites returned to Washington, DC as the Secretary for Administration for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, and Training) (OP-01/CHNAVPERS).  That assignment was followed by a tour at Rota, Spain in 1984 as the Officer in Charge of the Personnel Support Detachment.  Lieutenant Commander Stites was selected to be the Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Operations.  His next assignment was at Miramar Naval Air Station, San Diego, CA as the Security Manager for the Commander, Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  Upon completion of his shore duty assignment at NAS Miramar, Lieutenant Commander Stites, was assigned as the Administrative Department Head onboard the nuclear guided missile cruiser USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), homeported in San Diego, CA.  Before assuming his present duty as the Executive Officer, Personnel Support Activity, San Diego, CA.  Lieutenant Commander Stites was the Administrative/Security Officer for Naval School, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Eglin Air Force Base, FL.”

 

Tommy is survived his wife, Rita Adams Stites of Paducah; one daughter, Amy Collins of Paducah; three step-daughters, Tracy Wyatt and husband, Jason of San Diego, California, Stephanie Hodges and husband, Roy of West Palm Beach, Florida and Amy Boek and husband, Chris of Fernandina, Florida; two stepsons, Jason Shigenaka and wife, Janel of Las Vegas, Nevada and Chad Hille and wife, Christi of Louisville; one brother, William Leo Stites and wife, Rita of New Albany, Indiana; 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Stites; one daughter, Jenny Knight; one sister, Sonja Purcell; two brothers, Master Chief Petty Officer Alan Stites and Michael “Cotton” Stites; and his parents. 

 

Funeral services for Tommy will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. Wes Connor officiating.  Burial will follow with Military Rites at Mt. Kenton Cemetery in Paducah.

 

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the funeral home.

 

Expressions of Sympathy may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 262 Danny Thomas PL, Memphis, TN 38105 or The ALS Association: 1275 K Street NW - Suite 250 - Washington, DC 20005.

 

You may leave a message for the family or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com

 

 

 


Milner and Orr Funeral Homes
120 Memorial Drive
Paducah, KY 42001
Email : info@milnerandorr.com Phone : (270) 442-5100