James Alton Levitt

May 26, 1938 – May 21, 2025

James (Jim) Levitt passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025, just five days before his 87th birthday, Born in St Louis, Missouri, to Alton and Jewell Levitt, Jim grew up in High Ridge, Missouri. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary; daughter Kathy Baker (and husband Russell Sexton); son John Levitt (and wife Michelle); four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

At 18, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida as an aircraft mechanic. After returning to St. Louis in 1960 to work for Wohl Shoe Company, a surprise phone call from his former Eglin supervisor brought him back to Florida to resume his job as a civilian mechanic—he hit the road for Florida just three hours after that call.

Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of West Florida in 1974. The family cat, often found draped across Jim’s shoulders while he studied, became a legendary part of that journey. Jim later joined the HR Office at Pensacola Naval Air Station, rising to Department Head of both Wage and Classification and Training.

Jim loved water skiing and taught his children to ski by age six. Fishing trips to Destin were a Saturday tradition. Both of his children were in the band and he served as President of the Fort Walton Beach High School Band Parents, chaperoning every trip with Mary. He was so strict that he earned the nickname “Big Bad Jim” from the band boys.

After becoming empty nesters, Jim and Mary built a new home in Gulf Breeze. They took ballroom dance lessons and spent Friday nights at Jubilee on Pensacola Beach. The couple joined the Guys and Dolls Dance Troupe, performing over 40 shows in 2002 at local nursing homes and hospitals. Jim also joined the Krewe of Lafitte, where he helped build parade floats and became a float captain, famously joking that his key job was cleaning the port-a-potty. His pirate costume—magenta, blue, and gold with a feathered hat—was unforgettable. He learned to scuba dive and played racquetball each morning before work. He was an “Energizer Bunny”.

In 2003, Jim and Mary moved to The Villages, Florida to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They enjoyed dancing, Miata club trips, the St, Louis Club and many of the fun things The Villages offers.

A Celebration of Life will be held in late June or early July. In memory of Jim, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.