Harry Anderson Fite, Jr.

Harry Anderson Fite, Jr., age 95, of Pine Bluff, passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022. Born at Graysonia (Clark County), Ark., on November 28, 1926, he was a son of the late Harry Anderson Fite and Gladys McCaskill Fite. He graduated from Arkadelphia High and attended Arkansas Technical University and Henderson State Teachers College. A veteran of the World War II and Korean eras, Harry served in the occupation forces of Japan from 1946-1948. He then served as a first lieutenant at Albuquerque, N.M., on the Special Weapons Project. He was an Assistant Base Adjutant and Assistant Photographic Officer for the 1953 Atomic Test at Mercury, Nev. He was subsequently in charge of photographs for all of the atomic tests. One of his shots was published on the cover of Life Magazine. He served as District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America in Springhill and Shreveport, La., Memphis, Tenn., and Pine Bluff, Ark., from 1955-1967. While in Shreveport, he served as President of the PTA. Harry then went to work as executive director for the United Fund (now the United Way of Jefferson County) from 1967-1989. The first campaign raised $375,000 in 1967 up to $1,050,000 in 1989. He later served as Past-President of the United Way of Arkansas in a volunteer capacity. An active member of the Methodist Church his whole life, Harry greeted people of the front steps of First United Methodist Church of Pine Bluff every Sunday for over 25 years. He was also a Past-Chairman of the Worship Committed and taught the Danho Sunday school Class for a number of years. His memberships and community service were widespread in Pine Bluff. He served two terms as President of the West Pine Bluff Rotary Club; a member of the Board of Contact Teleministry from 1974-1975; chairman of the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce New Member Committee in 1990-1991; the Chamber Red Coat Group and the Legislative Committee. He also served on the board for the Red Cross and worked the family fire service. One of his greatest accomplishments was being in charge of the first and second Babe Ruth Baseball World Series held in Pine Bluff in 1972 and 1975. This event brought thousands of people to Pine Bluff. Harry also was a van driver for McFarland Eye Center for 20 years. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Harry Lewis Fite; and his siblings, Martha Frances Fite Copeland, Martha Lynda Fite Wilburs, and Charles Wayne Fite. Survivors include his wife, Eloise Lewis Fite, whom he married on September 2, 1949; and two children, Judith Lynn Fite and Robert Anderson Fite (Cheryl). Visitation will be Monday, 5-7 p.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, February 1, 2022, 2 p.m. in Rose Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia. There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, February 3rd, 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Pine Bluff with Rev. Carlton Cross officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 West 6th Avenue, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. For online condolences, please visit FullerFunerals.com