Jerry Allen Fritts

Jerry Allen Fritts was born at Ransom Memorial Hospital, Ottawa, Kansas to Opal (Shibe) Fritts and John Junior Fritts on May 31, 1950. He attended Eugene Field, then later Lincoln School in Ottawa. In 1960, his family moved to Sergeant Bluffs, Iowa for eighteen months. In 1962, they returned to Kansas, moving to their rural farm. Jerry went to Liberty Rural School for 7th and 8th grade. He went to Pomona High School, Pomona, Kansas all four years. He played football, lettering his senior year, graduating with the class of 1968. After graduating, he started his career at Hallmark Cards, Lawrence, Kansas, where he worked until his retirement after thirty-nine years. Jerry joined the Kansas National Guards in 1968, completing basic training in Fort Polk, Louisiana.

On November 9, 1968, he married Janice Fitzgerald. To this union Julie (Fritts) Hendricks was born in 1969. They later divorced.

On April 12, 1975, Sheila Schwegman and Jerry were married. To this union was born Travis in 1975 and Tracy (Fritts) Roche in 1979. They later divorced.

On May 1, 1989, he married Debbie Blitch. With this union Debbie brought in two boys, Jay and Joel Blitch.

Jerrys love for horses was always present from a very young age. Precious Farms was the name he gave his miniature horse farm. He enjoyed taking his miniature horses to the Maple Leaf Parade. He was a member of the Power of the Past for many years. Jerry helped his dad and Don Higdon with the horse-driven farm equipment. He loved bringing his miniature horses with cart to the Power of the Past. Debbie and Jerry were also members of the Night Crawlers Camping Club, Ottawa.

Jerry leaves behind wife Debbie of the home, daughters Julie Hendricks (Mike) of Tecumseh, Tracy Roche (Chris) of Overland Park; sons Travis Fritts (Hollie) of Emporia, Jay Blitch (Julie Branson) of Perry, and Joel Blitch (Kamischa) of Edgerton; eighteen grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

He is also survived by mother Opal Fritts of Ottawa; sisters Shirley Rose (David) and Joyce Smith (Randy) of Ottawa.

Jerry is preceded in death by father John “Junior” Fritts and grandson Mason Blitch.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2-4pm, Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Greenwood Community Building, 2705 Florida Road, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

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