Per Erik “Pete” Litz, age 82, of Plano Texas, went into the arms of his Lord, on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. He was born in Angelholm Sweden on February 11, 1940, to Douglas William Vilfrad Johansson and Brita Kristina Maragareta (nee Christiansson) Johansson.
His fondest childhood memories were of those at his grandparents’ farm. He loved them both deeply. His mother married his stepfather Ivar Litz. Pete took on Ivar’s last name in 1953. He had 2 half-brothers named Bengt-Olaf, born in 1944 and Karl-Ivar born in 1945.
In 1957 he enlisted in the Royal Swedish Navy and was accepted to the Naval Academy for non-commissioned officers. He held the rank of Corporal, with his MOS being sonar aboard the submarine HMS Salen (the Seal). In 1960 he ended his time in the Navy. He told a buddy he was going to go to America, at the time not knowing he would make that trip. However, the dream came true. The U.S. Ambassador asked him when he wanted to leave for the United States he said, “My 21st birthday comes on the 11th of February and that's the day I want to leave” and leave he did. On the plane to America, they sang happy birthday to him in several languages and served wine to all the passengers.
He enlisted in the U.S Army on May 1, 1961. After basic training he was transferred to Fort Hood, Texas with the 2nd Armored Division. From there he went to the 8th Infantry Division in Germany. His last 30 days of service were on active standby for Vietnam. He obtained his Naturalized Citizenship May 22, 1964. He was a great patriot of America and often told his children how blessed they were to be born in such a wonderful country, instilling in them a great love for country. Both of his sons went on to serve in the U.S. Army which made him very proud indeed.
Pete was married to the late Leah Donna (Prebble) Litz from 1964-1995. They had three beautiful children, sons Kyle Erik, Bradley Steven, and daughter Carolyn Gail. At the age of 57 Pete started attending square dancing lessons and joined a dance club. He quickly met Patricia at a dance and fell instantly in love with her. On May 6, 2000, Pete married his wife Patricia Ann (Campbell) Flashing Litz. She was a widow and had a daughter named Jana Michelle who quickly became another daughter for him. Pat shared Pete’s love for travel and adventure and they spent many years doing just that.
Pete was employed as a research scientist in the Geology department at the University of Cincinnati. He was very creative as evidenced by being awarded a U.S. Patent for inventing the Composite Petrographic Thin Section. This accomplishment led to a new beginning in Texas and a long and celebrated career in the oil exploration industry at Arco Oil and Gas. He retired from Arco at 55.
He will be remembered by all for his outgoing personality, his great sense of humor, and his love for dancing, travel, gardening, shooting, and woodworking. He was an active member of the McKinney Dance Club. Family was of the utmost importance to Pete. He was actively involved with his boys as Assistant Coach for their Soccer Club and Head Coach of the New Richmond Little league team called the Blue Flames. He was his daughter Gail’s hero even volunteering as her Girl Scout Troop Leader with another dad. It was a troop like no other. Jana was a young adult when they met, but he loved her very much and they shared a lot of good times. He never lost touch with his former wife’s family and remained like another brother to them, he and Pat even attending the niece and nephews’ weddings.
Pete was preceded in death by both his loving grandparents and parents, and his younger half-brother Bengt-Olaf and dear cousin Brigetta.
He is survived by his wife Patricia Ann Litz of Plano; son, Dr. Kyle and Kim (Rariden) Litz of New York and their daughter Grace; son, Brad and Hayley (Heiken) Litz, of Iowa and children Carter Condran, Brad Jr., and Chelsea; daughter, Gail (Litz) and Matthew Holland of Texas and their children Nathan Holland, Max and Hannah (Potter) Castillo, Jacob and Erik Potter; stepdaughter, Jana Flashing and MaryAnn Marks of Texas and two great grandchildren, Aurora and Landen. He is survived by his brother Karl-Ivar and wife Monica, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins in Sweden.
The memorial service for Pete will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, July 22 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. The family will receive guests starting at 3:15 p.m. It will be officiated by Pastor Randy Moore of Revolution Church McKinney. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Pete’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/per-erik-litz.