Raymond Russell Hitch

Raymond Russell Hitch
September 19, 2009 (Daily Times, Salisbury, MD)
SALISBURY -- There is a new star in the heavens for Raymond Russell Hitch, 90, of Salisbury, who gave up his earthly bounds to return home Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake.

Russell was born April 3, 1919, in Salisbury to the late Raymond and Florence Pryor Hitch. As a young man, challenge and business drew Russell, spending much of his time building the Hitch Insurance Agency starting in 1946, having started with the Farm Bureau Insurance Co. in 1941, which eventually grew into Nationwide Insurance. This business acumen allowed him to acquire skills that led to the nation's first of its kind in the drive-in insurance agency, which became the hallmark of Hitch customer service. He also pioneered automobile mobile radios, long before cell phones were even a thought.

Russell served in various public and private venues. Most notably, he donated much of his time to the Fruitland Lions Club, being a charter member and serving for 39 years with a perfect attendance record. His charitable instincts led his record of excellence in customer service, both on a profit and not-for-profit venue. He rounded out his life as a founding member of the Wicomico Yacht Club. Even with all of his accomplishments, Russell managed to balance his life with personal growth and success. He was an award-winning agent for Nationwide Insurance. The sky will be just a bit brighter now, for our loss is heaven's gain.

Like a multifaceted diamond, success in the working world was only a fraction of Russell's accomplishments. He was a father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by a son, Stephen Hitch of Fruitland; granddaughters, Jennifer Hitch Kelsey of Elizabeth City, N.C., and Kimberly Sue Tucker of Ocean City; grandsons, Jonathan Hitch of Hebron, Matthew Lee of Norfolk, Va., and Ethan Hitch of Pocomoke City; a great-granddaughter, Mary Lee; and great-grandsons, Noah Tucker and Haedon Ray Hitch.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Gail Hitch Bromley. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Holloway Funeral Home. Family and friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to the service Monday. The Revs. J. Harvey Dixon and Paul Sherwood will officiate. Interment will be in Wicomico Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Coastal Hospice at the Lake, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home PA at 501 Snow Hill Road in Salisbury.

Raymond married Kathryn (Kitty) Gross in 1940.¹ (Kathryn (Kitty) Gross was born in 1918 ¹.)

Raymond next married Ethel M. Passwaters, daughter of Lewis Passwaters and Bessie Jefferson. (Ethel M. Passwaters was born on 23 Jan 1923 and died on 24 May 2001 in Salisbury, Wicomico Co., MD ⁴.)