Joseph Stites, Jr.

Joseph G. Stites Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2010.  He was 89.  Joe was born in Hopkinsville, KY in 1921, and graduated from the University of Kentucky in Lexington where he met the love of his life, Lucy.  They married in 1943.  Joe continued his education at Michigan State University where he earned his doctorate in inorganic chemistry.  Dr. Stites worked on the Manhattan Project.  Later, he was active in research and development for Monsanto Chemical Co. on fertilizers, explosives, air and water pollution control and solid land waste management.  He traveled throughout Europe, Russia and India during President Nixon’s international technology exchange.

Joe and Lucy raised their children in St. Louis and eventually retired to Nashville, TN – residing there 25 years before moving to Columbia, MO in 2006.

Joe enjoyed golf, bridge, gardening, cooking, church work, choir and most recently, oil painting.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Gray Cates Stites, son William Reed Stites and wife Carole, daughter Mary Etta Stites Morgan and husband J. Michael, daughter, Ruth Ragland Stites Lutz and husband Gary, daughter Lucy Caroline Stites Baker and husband Paul.

Granddaughters Jaime Lyn Stites, Jessica Cates Stites, Sydney Elyse Stites, Gina Rene Van Hara and grandson Jason Glaspie  and wife.  Granddaughter Michelle Marie Morgan, grandsons Scott Edward Lutz and wife Mary Margaret (Maggie) and Joseph Ryan Lutz and love Victoria Nichols.

Joe has 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

.A memorial service will take place at 10AM, Monday, November 1^st, at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville.  There will be a reception that afternoon at Boone Landing, 109 N. Keene St, Columbia from 2 to 4PM.

In lieu of flowers, and out of consideration for the honor and care of his wife, donations would be appreciated to The Alzheimer’s Association, 2400 Bluff Creek Drive, Columbia, MO  65201.