Dennis Bitton

Dennis Bitton, 90, died Tuesday, February 22, 2011, in McCammon, Idaho. Born in Ririe, Idaho, on February 9, 1921, he was raised in Swan Valley on his parent's farm. He went to "Rainey Dell" Elementary School in the valley and attended high school in Idaho Falls and Logan, Utah. After graduation, Dennis enlisted in the U. S. Navy and became an airplane mechanic. He served in World War II and the Korean War and retired during the Vietnam War as a Master Chief. After World War II, Dennis was assigned to a Naval Air Base near Patuxent River, Maryland, where he met and married Juanita Foster, a beautiful red head from Arkansas. They moved to Florida for six years, where their three sons were born. Later Dennis was transferred to bases in Tennessee, Guam, and California. After 23 years he retired as Master Chief in 1964. They bought a home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they lived the next 10 years. Dennis started his own garage business. After a couple of years, he added three gas pumps, becoming one of the first "self service" gas stations in Colorado. Being cheaper, his business built rapidly. With his boys in high school, Dennis decided to bid on some tree thinning contracts with the Forest Service. He did this for five years, hiring his boys to help them earn money for college. In 1974, Dennis and Juanita moved back to Swan Valley, Idaho, where they built their retirement home. Dennis being an avid hunter and fisherman, started his own trout farm. He also had a backhoe business, was water master, American Legion Commander for 8 years and on the city council. In 2000, Dennis and Juanita moved to McCammon to live out their lives close to Ron's family. Dennis was always busy mowing lawns, plowing snow or fixing someone's leaky faucets. Dennis was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In Steamboat, he was Branch President twice. He served in Church leadership all through the years. He was a good example of commitment and always volunteered for service projects and temple work. Surviving Dennis are his three sons: Vernal (Vanean) Bitton, Layton Utah; Ronald (Kris) Bitton, McCammon, Idaho; and Foster Bitton of Madison, Alabama; 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Also remaining are his sister, Afton, of Swan Valley and brother, Frances, of Boise. He is predeceased by his parents, his wife, and five brothers and sisters. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 26, 2011, at the McCammon LDS Stake Center, 403 W. 16th / Cemetery Road, with Bishop J. Roger Morris of the McCammon Mountain View Ward officiating. Viewing will be at 10:00 a.m. prior to the services, at the church. Burial will be in the Norton Cemetery in McCammon with military rites performed by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.

Funeral Services -- Saturday

11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, February 26, 2011 McCammon LDS Stake Center 403 West 16th (Cemetery Road) McCammon, ID 83250 Notes: The family will visit with friends at 10 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the McCammon-Norton Cemetery.