Anthony (Tony) J. Sitts, 56, died peacefully at home on Jan. 25, 2024, in Ellinwood.
Tony was born on Sept. 17, 1967, to Dick and Jan Sitts of Sedona, Ariz. He graduated from Gunnison High School, Gunnison Colo., in 1985, and later that year entered the US Coast Guard where he served for four years in Tactical Law Enforcement. He was honorably discharged and served an additional four-year term as a member of the US Coast Guard Reserves. Tony owned and operated a construction business in Colorado for several years and owned various real estate properties there and in Kansas, as well.
In 2010, Tony moved to Ellinwood to be with the love of his life, Lori L Kelly. They were together 17 years. In Ellinwood, Tony continued his construction work for himself, as well as for other companies.
Tony was an adventurous spirit and loved everything outdoors – hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, camping, river rafting, mushroom hunting, and golfing. But his true passion was hang-gliding. He was an AVID hang-gliding pilot with over 1,500 logged hours of free flight.
Tony was a member of The American Legion and Grove Park Golf Club of Ellinwood. He happily volunteered at Meals on Wheels and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.
Survivors include his partner, Lori L. Kelly of the home; his four-legged little girl, Sassy; parents Dick and Jan Sitts of Sedona, Ariz.; brother Taylor (Christin Ferkins) Sitts of Flagstaff, Ariz.; and numerous cousins and extended family members and friends from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Kansas.
Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. Inurnment will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery, Ellinwood. A celebration of Tony’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Tunnels 2 Towers Foundation, a first responder and Veteran’s charity, in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, Kansas.