Alfred “Pete” Titus

Alfred (Pete) J. Titus was born on April 12, 1916 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Benjamin and Ida Mae Titus. He peacefully departed this earthly life on Saturday, December 13, 2014. He was preceded in death by his only sibling, Kenneth (Fats) Titus.

Alfred, who was nicknamed by his father as Pete because his father’s brother was also named Alfred, professed his belief in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Gaines United Methodist Church where he remained a faithful member until his health began to decline.

On August 24, 1937, he was joined in holy matrimony to Naomi “Sis” Brown and was married 44 years until her death in 1981. To this union was born one daughter, Cheryl Yvonne and one son Alfred, Jr.

After the death of Naomi he met Jacqueline Stonom. And, on September 15, 1984 they married and spent 30 years together as man and wife, bowling, attending baseball games, traveling and watching baseball and western movies together. He also savored many dishes produced by Jackie’s culinary skills.

Pete loved bowling and won numerous trophies from Madison, Brendamour and Mergard’s Bowling Lanes. As a young man, he was known for his baseball prowess. Had it not been for a commitment to family, he could have been a member of one of the Negro League Teams. When he wasn’t playing baseball, or could no longer play due to age, he attended the Cincinnati Red’s games at Crosley Field and Riverfront Stadium. His sports tag-along was “daddy’s baby girl ” his loving daughter, Cheryl. It was at these stadiums he became a lifelong friend of Hank Aaron, who named Pete in many speeches and books. While visiting Cincinnati as Grand Marshall of the 2009 Opening Day Parade, Hank Aaron spoke about having known and loved Pete and viewed the Titus residence in the 1960’s and ‘70’s as his home away from home while the Milwaukee Braves, later known as the Atlanta Braves were in Cincinnati playing against the Reds. When Hank played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves, Pete, his cousin Jack Titus, and friend Paul Shannon, were in the stands rooting their friend to victory. He also loved playing pool and watching western movies. It was a known fact, not to disturb Pete when he was watching baseball games or western movies.

Pete loved his family and would do for them before thinking of himself. At an early age, he dropped out of Withrow High School to serve his nation as a member of the Army in the World War II Campaign. He was happy to do so and his country valiantly including duty in the European Theater. During his service, he was the recipient of several medals.

After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1946, Pete was employed by the U.S. Post Office, where he was a faithful employee until his retirement in 1972. Prior to becoming a postal employee he worked as a meat packer for a major meat packing company, as a mechanic for Howard Adams Ford, and as a grounds keeper for a prominent family in Indian Hill.

On November 11, 2009, Pete received his diploma from Princeton High School. He commented, “This is a great time in my life. I have always valued education. I wasn’t able to get mine, but I worked hard to see that my children received the best education possible. Both of them graduated from Walnut Hills High School. I may be late getting my diploma but I will value it and proudly display it to everyone. Receiving my diploma from Princeton is a good fit because my son-in-law, Donald Darby is a former Princeton Superintendent, my granddaughter Carmen, graduated from here in 1982, my great-granddaughter, Brianna received her diploma in June (2009) and my great grandson is a 6th grader at Princeton Middle School.”

He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline; devoted daughter Cheryl Yvonne (Donald) and son Alfred John, Jr.; two granddaughters, Carmen Sanders and Naomi Alyse Titus; two great-grandchildren, Brianna Sanders and Robert “Trey” Tubbs; one step-daughter Yolanda (W.D.) Smith; four step-grandchildren, Donita (Craig) Jackson, Anthony (Angela) Darby, Jacqueline Smith, and Victoria Smith; two Step-great-grandchildren, Myles Jackson and Wynton Jackson; one sister-in-law, Mollie Ruth Titus, one daughter in-law, Clarice Titus, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.