Dale Kitts

(From Parker Mortuary)

Winford Dale Kitts, age 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 22, 2025 at his home surrounded by family.

Dale was born on April 19, 1944 in Stella, Missouri to William W. Kitts and Bonnie Ozelle (Blankenship) Kitts. He grew up in Joplin, Missouri where he graduated from Joplin High School and subsequently attended Joplin Junior College. Dale went on to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

On June 8, 1965 Dale married the love of his life, Vicki Vernatti at Blendville Christian Church, and the pair moved to San Diego, California where, after his service in the Marine Corps, Dale joined the police force and became a detective on the Narcotics Task Force.

Dale and Vicki had 3 boys during their time in California, William, Patrick, and Kyle, who were the apple of his eye.

In 1997 Dale retired from the police department and shortly after he, Vicki, and their children all returned to Joplin, Missouri where the family would continue to grow and thrive.

Through his whole life Dale was never good at sitting still, though he was retired he didn’t have much in the way of “downtime.” He loved to be outside and could always be found chopping wood at his property in Sarcoxie, fishing, or working in his garden at home. When not working outdoors he liked to meet up with his friends for coffee and spend time with his wife and family who he loved dearly.

Dale was many things, a very funny man who loved to tell a bad joke that made his children and grandchildren groan, a devoted husband who demonstrated his love for Vicki every single day, and a wonderful father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be missed terribly by all who had the good fortune of getting to know and love him.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bonnie Ozelle Kitts as well as his daughter-in-law, Christina Kitts.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Vicki Kitts; sons, Bill Kitts, Pat Kitts, and Kyle Kitts all of Joplin; four grandchildren, Cody Kitts (Cassie), Lindsey Fisher (Darin) of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, Coni Kitts of Austin, Texas; and Kylee Kitts of Jasper, Missouri; 10 great-grandchildren, Avany, Aidan, Wyatt, Waylon, Willa, Wolf, Wade, Kolt, Blakely, and Blaize; sisters, Donna Landrith of Topeka, Kansas and Cathy Jolly (Sandy) of Greenbriar, Arkansas; brother, Tom Kitts (Lorraine) of Conway, Arkansas; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday May 28, 2025 starting at 1 PM and a funeral service will be held on Wednesday May 28, 2025 at 2 pm at Parker Mortuary located at 1502 S Joplin Ave. Joplin, Missouri 64804. Interment will follow at Macedonia Cemetery in Stella, Missouri.