Lawrence Ronald Kitterman "Larry," born July 13, 1957, at St. Therese Hospital in Waukegan, Illinois, passed away on February 8, 2026, at the age of 68, surrounded by his wife and daughters.
The son of Joanne (Loos) Gravley and Jerome Kitterman Sr., Larry was a beloved son, grandson, husband, dad, papa, grandpa, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend to many.
He grew up in Antioch, Illinois, where he attended grade school and graduated from Antioch Community High School in 1975. In his thirties, Larry moved more than 1,000 miles away from Antioch, but the small rural town forever remained a part of who he was.
As a child, Larry was bright, focused, and creative. He took pride in “doing things right”—a principle that only grew stronger as he aged. He was determined, if not just plain stubborn at times, and he possessed an oversized heart and unwavering loyalty. He carried his love of books, food, family, music, adventures—and yes, his documented stubbornness—into adulthood.
After a two-and-a-half-year courtship, Larry proposed to Vickie, and the two were married in July 1982. In 1989, Larry’s career in drafting and engineering led him, Vickie, and their three daughters to relocate to Bradenton, Florida. Over their nearly 44 years together, Larry and Vickie grew their family to include four children and nine grandchildren—all of whom brought him immense pride, especially his grandchildren.
Larry was known for an array of qualities and talents, from his intellect, pragmatism, and dependability, to his willingness to help others, to his sharp wit and liberally applied sarcasm. He playfully teased the people he loved most, lightheartedly joking about his “hundreds of years of marriage” and the balding head and gray hair his children (and grandchildren) gave him.
He had his regular phrases. A playful “Why, I oughta…” was his mock warning to his grandkids’ shenanigans. And when it was time to go, he’d look to the smallest among them and declare, “Let’s blow this pop stand,” or, “Let’s rock and roll!”
Larry enjoyed music, cribbage, and was an avid reader, but he was also a sports fan. He golfed, bowled, and enjoyed other activities, and you could often find him taking in a baseball, football, or other game—whether at the stadium or on television. Yet no games meant more to him than those his children or grandchildren played (and he often coached). And for the children whose talents led them elsewhere, he showed up just as faithfully, cheering from the audience at award ceremonies, talent shows, dance recitals, concerts—wherever their passions led him.
He was a foodie, known for his amazing scones, homemade marshmallows, baked French toast, and berry compote, among other delicious treats. For years, he singlehandedly executed nothing short of a culinary feat: an elegant Thanksgiving dinner made entirely from scratch, prepared with love (and some grumbling) over multiple days. Year after year, the meal left all of us in full-bellied awe at his perfect execution of two types of stuffing, two cranberry relishes, baked mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole (specifically for his wife), fresh green bean casserole, gravy, and a perfectly cooked bird—and how he hadn’t overcooked even one thing—or simply collapsed from exhaustion.
Larry set out to raise a close-knit family who would share this life, support one another through its challenges, and always set a big table with plenty of space for welcoming others.
He is survived by his wife, Vickie (Ferguson) Kitterman, was the proud father of his surviving children, Daniel Kitterman (Kris Kitterman), Dawn Kitterman (Dave Clegg), and his youngest twin daughters, Holly (Kitterman) Ford and Heidi (Kitterman) Oswald, and an even prouder, devoted grandfather to Daniel Kitterman Jr., Canaan Kitterman, Kyle Kitterman, Grace Kitterman, Tatiana Clegg, Madeline Clegg, Caleb Greene, Evan Ford, and Juliet Ford.
He is also survived by his mother, Joanne; his younger sisters, Cyndi (Kitterman) Krause and Nikki Kitterman; and his younger brother, Jerome Kitterman Jr. (and wife, Cindy Kitterman), his sister-in-law and close friend, Shelly (Ferguson) Pesz, and numerous nieces and nephews, each of whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his dad, “Jerry” Jerome Kitterman; his sister, Pamela (Kitterman) Carter; his grandparents, Emil and Ruth Loos and Phillip and Florence Kitterman; and his best friend and “best” dog, Bogey.
A memorial and Celebration of Life will be held on March 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Freedom Village of Bradenton, located at 6406 21st Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that loved ones consider making a donation to further Pancreatic Cancer Research at the Moffitt Cancer Center in honor of Larry. Donations can be made at: fundraise.moffitt.org/GiveforLarry
We love you, Dad. Wish you wouldn’t have “blown this pop stand” quite so soon—but may you forever rock and roll.
