Max Jay Pitts

Max Jay Pitts, 83, of Amboy “Red Bridge”, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Still Water Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana, surrounded by his loving family. Max was born to the late Gene and June (Fish) Pitts in Peru, Indiana on November 1, 1940.  On March 9, 1963, Max married the love of his life Velma (Allen) Pitts.

Max graduated from Somerset High School in 1958 and was proud to say that he was a Somerset Shamrock. He was an avid basketball player and played on the varsity basketball team and ran cross country track.

After graduation Max went to work for Floyd Bowman in Somerset as a mechanic where he found his passion for auto mechanics.  In his early twenties, Max went to work for Dorais Chevrolet as a mechanic and was shortly promoted to service manager and eventually moved into sales.  Max was an ambitious person from an early age and quickly became an entrepreneur.  In 1969 he opened Max’s Sunoco in Red Bridge. Max always had a love for fast cars and motorcycles. In 1976 he opened and operated Max Pitts Yamaha in Red Bridge. The opportunity came for him to move his business to Peru in 1981. The business quickly grew as he acquired Suzuki and Honda franchises and he found that he needed more space and parking.  Max purchased property on US 31, Peru, in 1994 and his business quickly became one of the largest motorcycle dealerships in the Midwest known as Max Pitts Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and Sea-Doo.   Winning many awards and trips, he and Velma were able to travel to over 20 countries. This could not have been accomplished without the help of his dedicated family and employees. Customer service was his passion, and his goal was to always make the customer happy.

Max was very influential in the motorcross sport. He envisioned and started the Wabash Cannonball Motorcross track and promoted many races there along with his infamous fair races in several surrounding counties for many years. Max and his family followed the motorcross circuit for many years. His son, Aaron, and all seven grandsons were involved in racing. What an amazing time and memories.

Max was a simple no frills man. He loved people and listened to their problems, trying to help in any way that he could. He helped so many young people creating jobs when he really didn’t need the help. Max did not realize the impact he had on so many lives. 

Max had a generous heart and for many years would take a different group of friends to Daytona Bike Week so they could experience the motorsport excitement of racing.  He would supply a motorcycle for those that didn’t have one of their own to ride.  He had a zest for adventure and life.  Max retired in 2010 spending much deserved time at home and tinkering on his old Deutz tractor that he loved. Max’s most cherished past time was supporting his children and grandchildren in all of their activities whether it was racing, basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, track, ballet, jazz, tap or band concerts.  He never missed the chance to attend the event and be their biggest supporter.

Max is survived by his wife Velma (Allen) Pitts along with their three children, Gina (Bob) Kersey of Amboy, Indiana and Aaron (Kimberle) Pitts, Peru, Indiana and Monica (Rick Osborne) Hileman, Warsaw, Indiana; eight grandchildren Brandon (Heather) Hileman of Wabash, Nick (Tiffany) Kersey of Kokomo, Michael Hileman of Indianapolis, Karsten (Morgan) Kersey of Amboy, Delaney (Trevor) Hagan of Kokomo, Kolten (Taku Komiyama) Kersey of Indianapolis, Drew (Makenzie) Hileman of Kokomo, and Chandler Pitts of Noblesville.  He is survived by eight great grandchildren Bentley Hileman, Izabella Hileman, Olivia Hileman, Kendyl Kersey, Khloe Kersey, Cooper Kersey, Palmer Hagan and Carter Hileman.  Max is also survived by his brother Louie (Sandy) Pitts and sister Lorraine Pitts, both from Amboy.  He was proceeded in death by his parents.

A memorial service honoring the life of Max will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Riverview Funeral home located at 421 West Canal Street in Peru, Indiana at 3 pm.  Friends may visit and share stories with the family from 11 am until the time of service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Max’s honor to Still Water Hospice, Riley Children’s Hospital, or Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Riverview Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolences may be made online at www.riverviewfhperu.com

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