Henry Hitchings

Henry Guy Hitchings, Jr, 96, of Fontana, California passed away on March 20, 2021 in Fontana, California. He was born on September 25, 1924 in Trinidad, Co to Henry Hitchings, SR and Nellie Wimbly. Growing up in the pandhandle of Oklahoma on a farm, Henry had four siblings: Clifford Hitchings, Maurice Hitchings, Margaret Lowery, and Herbert Hitchings, with Henry being the baby also known as "Junior" to the family.
Henry met and married the love of his life, Maxine Hitchings, and together they shared 34 wonderful years together. Henry had 3 grown children with his first wife Leona Hitchings, Mike Hitchings, Gayle Hitchingslane, and Holly HitchingsShaw. Maxine has 2 grown children, William Shaver and Tamara Harmon. Together, they raised their grand daughter Kimberly Shaver.
Prior to moving to California Henry taught math in the panhandle of Oklahoma and earned his pilots license to fly crop dusters for the local farmers. Henry then moved to Fontana in 1951 and apprenticed as a plumber with his Father in Law John Sharp. He later started his own plumbing contracting business known as Hank’s Plumbing. He was well respected among the business community and worked with many of the local businessmen and contractors during his career. He was a charter lifetime member of the Elks Lodge in Fontana of 65 years, and sponsored the local little leagues for many seasons. Henry was passionate about his card games playing gin competitively and enjoyed pinochle, cribbage and dominoes amongst many other games. He enjoyed many activities including playing golf and fishing with friends and family. He bowled on a league with his wife Maxine and they also enjoyed square dancing with a local group. Henry loved to travel and he and Maxine had many wonderful adventures with their family and friends including a road trip to Victoria Canada.
Henry is predeceased by his first wife Leona Hitchings, son Michael Hitchings and daughter Holly Hitchings-Shaw. Henry is survived by his loving wife Maxine Hitchings, daughter and spouse Gayle Hitchingslane and Bill Lane, step son and spouse William Shaver and Sandra Shaver, step daughter and spouse Tamara Harmon and Derek Harmon. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Henry was keen on jokes, lover a good laugh and enjoyed telling funny stories and jokes to all. The family thought he would get a kick out of the date chosen for all of us to honor his life!
A memorial service for Henry will be held at Ingold Funeral & Cremation on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. A celebration of life for Henry will follow the services at the Fontana Elks Lodge to honor his memory.
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