John B Stitt's Obituary
John B. Stitt passed to our Heavenly Father at age 73 at his home in
Rogers, Ark., on June 14, 2021. He is fondly remembered by adoring
family, devoted friends, appreciative neighbors and admiring former
co-workers as a loving, caring, and demonstrative person who cherished
staying in touch with people the world over.
Born July 19, 1947, in Memphis to Bill Stitt and Marjorie B. Stitt, John
is survived by his wife Ruth Stitt and his seven-year-old daughter Gracie
Stitt of Rogers, Ark.; daughters Georgia Stitt in Nyack, N.Y. (Jason
Robert Brown) and Emily Stitt Jones in Cumming, Ga. (Gregory Jones);
granddaughters Molly and Susannah Brown and grandsons Owen and
Blake Jones; his siblings Jody Stitt Palmer, Orlo Stitt, Jean Stitt Otto,
and Peggy Stitt Bulla; and former wife Susan Gladden Atkins of
Dahlonega, Ga.
Appreciated for his creativity, contagious exuberance, and enthusiasm,
John had the skills to fix most anything and make it look “like new.” He
enjoyed woodworking and gardening but his passion and lifelong hobby
was photography. He created an incredible collection of masterpieces
featuring family and friends and unique images captured as he traveled
around the world.
Educated at Bartlett High School, Memphis University School, Iowa
State University (B.S. in Forestry, 1969) and University of North
Carolina (MBA, 1972), John worked for Buckman Laboratories but in
1978 with brother Orlo founded Stitt Energy Systems in Rogers,
designing and constructing energy-efficient passive solar homes. John
later worked for Lydall and brought his family to the Memphis area to
work for Kimberly Clark, commuting from their home in Covington,
Tenn. John authored a book in 1990, Managing for Excellence, and in
1994 returned to Buckman leading development of products and
operating technologies applicable in the global manufacture of tissue
products. John traveled to 71 countries, consulting and teaching the
innovative technology he helped develop, before retiring in 2017 from
Buckman. He continued to consult at “Bulab” until the pandemic.
Tribute to the Life of John Brenneman Stitt
A memorial service for family and close friends will be held July 17 at
his house in Rogers. Gifts in John’s memory may be sent to the fund set
up to provide his daughter Gracie’s education at
www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-for-john-stitt.
John would have been thrilled for friends to take a look at his
photography and leave comments at www.jbstittphotography.com.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?