David Eugene Bitto, 67, died peacefully at his home in Elberta on March 6, 2015 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
David is survived by his wife, Gloria of Elberta; children, Ella Annette Bitto of Marietta, Ga., Susan Bitto Noon (Brian) of Simpsonville, S.C. and John David Bitto (Jennifer) of Elberta; his beloved Boykin spaniel, Murphy Brown Dog; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ella Lehmann Bitto; father, John Kasper Bitto; and stepmother, Rose Hertel Bitto.
David was born Aug. 14, 1947 at Battles Warf Hospital.
A lifelong resident of Elberta, he attended St. Benedict School, Pensacola Catholic High School and St. Bernard College in Cullman.
Following college, he served in the Alabama National Guard.
While David began farming with his dad by driving tractors at the early age of 7, he returned to farm full time with his father following his service in the guard. David was a full-time farmer and continued to farm in partnership with his son, John, until his death.
David was passionate about agriculture and worked to make not only his farm better than he found it, but also agriculture across Alabama. He belonged to countless farming organizations, including Baldwin County Farmers Federation (serving at their president since 1990); Alabama Farmers Federation (serving on their board of directors as well as numerous committees within the federation); past president and past secretary/treasurer of the Elberta Farmer’s Coop; past president and board member of the Alabama Soybean Association and was awarded their Young Leader award in 1986.
One of the highlights of his career was testifying before Congress in 1990 about agriculture and the problems farmers faced across the Southeast.
David believed it was important to be involved in one’s community. As such, he was an active member of the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department for many years where he led the firemen for a time as their chief during the early 1980s. He also served as their head sausage cook at the Fire Department’s biannual Sausage Festival for many years.
Most recently, he worked to help improve the farm and livestock at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch in Summerdale.
Dave was a lifelong member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Elberta.
In addition to advocating for the betterment of agriculture, Dave enjoyed traveling to learn about agriculture and farming practices in other parts of the U.S. and around the world, learning about and driving antique tractors (especially two-cylinder John Deere tractors) and cooking for his family and friends at his farm.
Dave was a witty, generous man who enjoyed life and truly made the world a better place. He will be fondly remembered for his bright smile, jovial spirit and kind nature.
A funeral mass is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2015, at 2 p.m., at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Elberta.
Interment to follow at Prince of Peace Cemetery in Elberta.
A reception and celebration of his life will follow at the Elberta Civic Center. All are welcome to attend and celebrate David’s life.
For those who would like to make a charitable contribution in his honor, the family suggests donating to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, 21870 County Road 32; Summerdale, AL 36580.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Foley.
