Mr. Richard “Pop” Pitts Sr.,

Mr. Richard “Pop” Pitts, Sr., was born on January 11, 1944 in Norfolk, VA.  Pop passed away peacefully on January 9, 2021 with his wife and children by his side. 

Pop has been a prominent sports figure in the Hampton Roads area since his high school days at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA and his sports accolades on and off the basketball court continue to be admired.  He was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2010, the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, the Norfolk State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 and in 2014, the first Richard “Pop” Pitts Track Classic was held at Todd Stadium in Newport News, VA.

Pop was the first African-American athletic director in the Newport News Public School system and he retired as the Athletic Director at Menchville High School in June 2004 after 28 years of dedicated service.  Pop was a faithful member of Ivy Baptist Church for over 40 years, where he was the former chairman of the Trustee Board.  He was a coach, teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend who made an indelible impression on the lives of everyone he touched.

Pop’s athletic ability and his larger than life stature paled in comparison to his kind and generous heart.  Pop was married to the love of his life, Viola W. Pitts for over 50 years. He leaves a lifetime of treasured memories to his wife, Viola, children, Dr. Rosalyn Pitts Clark (Jeremy) and Richard S. Pitts, Jr. (Jennifer) and grandchildren Jeremy L. Richard Clark and Kyara Menns.

Information regarding a celebration of life memorial service will be forthcoming.

Professional services have been provided by C. C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

It is the desire of the Pitts family to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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