John Charles Stites was born on May 11th, 1938, to Marshal W. Stites and Hazel Marie (Huff) Stites. John passed away on March 21st, 2026. He was 87 years old.

John was born at the family home on Ash Mesa Road by the Uncompahgre River. John attended Columbine Country School and later Delta Schools. He attended the Colorado School of Trades and earned a degree in gunsmithing and completed an AA degree at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California.

John was in law enforcement for many years in Delta County. He later became a licensed gunsmith.

John was an avid reader, he loved history, all horses, hunting and metal work. As a gunsmith he built many custom rifles.

John married Mary Agnes Young at Olathe in 1957. John is survived by his wife Mary Agnes, a son Johnnie Lee (Anne) Stites of Nampa, Idaho, a daughter Laura Ann (Chris) Stine of Henderson Nevada, and daughter Suesan (Scott) Scheetz of Delta, Colorado.

Grandsons, John Solomon Stites, Jimmy Smith, Derek Stites, Grand Daughters Christina Cole, and Jessica Smith. Great Grand Children Ruby and Johnny Stites, Evan, Emily, and Craig Stites, Ashley, Brittany, Devon, Jason Cole, and Madilynn Fowler.

He is survived by one sister Elsie Mae Stites (David) Fowler of Las Vegas, Nevada, and many nieces and nephews. His mother, father and three sisters proceeded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in John Stites' name to HopeWest Hospice of Delta: 195 Stafford Ln, Delta, CO 81416.