David Thomas Bitton, 84

Heaven gained the kind, gentle, generous and tough as nails soul of David Thomas Bitton in the early morning of Dec. 17, 2025.

David was born in Ogden, Utah, on Sept. 9, 1941, to his father, David “LaVor” Bitton, and mother, Iona (Bullock) Bitton, where much of his youth was spent with his younger brother and sister, Keith and Deanna, grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

At the age of 15, David and his family migrated north to Priest River, Idaho, where he met his future wife, Janet Pitts. On Sept. 19, 1959, they were married and in May of 1960 he would become a father and be preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Lyne.

Being a father and a grandfather was probably David’s greatest accomplishment.

David was THE grandpa, gentle in nature and deeply caring. His hot cakes were second to none and he could fry an egg with the best of them. You would often find him taking his grandchildren to the beach in the summer to swim, grabbing an ice cream cone, or simply sitting in the yard watching them play rain or shine. No one really knows how many hours, days, months or years he spent picking up “his kids” from school in his red Chevy pickup and he was never happier than being out with the family, getting wood or taking the grandkids on a drive in the country singing “Home on the Range.” He treasured his trinkets from the Bonner Mall and giving his loved ones rides in the Model A his Dad restored to better than new.

Although the passing of his first born was heartbreaking, both he and Janet’s lives were filled with blessings. First with his daughter, JaLaire Ann (Bud), Kevin David (Lori), Kara Ellen (Shanon) and Belynda Mary (Jeff). He spent the majority of his working life at the LP Mill before being medically retired. Retirement wasn’t one of complete leisure for David. His home was filled with children most, if not all the days of his life. He was an avid reader of all WWII books, enjoyed latch hook projects, riding his bike about town, gardening, going to classic car shows, getting wood in the fall, spending time with his family and you could pass him driving (or riding) down a country road just about every day.

David was preceded in death by his mother and his father, his loving wife, Janet (5/24/21), his daughter Cynthia (5/9/1960), and his younger sister, Deanna Bitton Spurgeon, and son-in-law, Shanon Lovette.

He leaves behind his children, JaLaire (Bud Stephenson), Kevin (Lori) Bitton, Kara Douglas and Belynda (Jeff) Best; his grandchildren, Josh (Kendra), Amber (Tyrel), Nikelle (Cameron), Karissa (Jeremy), Marcus (Mariah), Katelyne (Sam), Kourtney (Nathan), Jade, Abi and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Kody (Avery), Kameron (Kylee), Aleigha, Taytum, Broden, Stella, Creed, Nola, Stetson, Oliver, Tessa, Zoe, Jagger and Wade; and great-great-grandsons, Korbyn and Wattson. David is also survived by his brother, Keith (Shirley) Bitton, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of David’s life will be held this summer or early fall.