Jim Henry Sitton

Jim Henry Sitton, lifelong resident of El Paso’s Upper Valley, died peacefully in his home on June 17, 2026. He was 88.

Born September 15, 1937 in Hillsboro, Texas to Henry Ciscero Sitton and Fannye Pearl Robertson Sitton. As a child, the family moved to the El Paso Upper Valley, and Jim, quite frankly, never left. Jim attended Zach White Elementary and got his first job at The Riviera Restaurant on Doniphan as a busboy. He attended El Paso High School where he played on the basketball team and met the love of his life, MaryAnn Kennedy. After school, Jim found an opportunity to be in a management training program with Luby’s Cafeteria which started his life’s career as a Restaurateur. In 1958, he married MaryAnn and they had three children. In 1968, Jim took a position with Farah Manufacturing in charge of Food Services for all Farah employees. In 1983, he achieved his dream of owning his own restaurant when he and MaryAnn purchased The Big Fisherman Restaurant in Northeast El Paso, which they ran side by side for 22 years. He retired in 2005.

Throughout his life, Jim was an avid golfer. He and MaryAnn took many trips all over the United States playing at any golf course they could find. They developed a strong community of friends through Golf and their involvement with Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in La Union, New Mexico. Everyone loved Jim for his stoic, take charge, no nonsense approach to life. His big heart made him generous to a fault and he always wanted to help in some way. Jim also loved football and was a big Dallas Cowboy fan and also enjoyed cheering on the UT Longhorns, Texas Aggies and UTEP Miners. He and MaryAnn loved music and dancing. They often enhanced family time by teaching their children how to dance and this “family time” became the source of many very special memories for them and their children.

Jim had an amazing work ethic, but family and caring for his family were a top priority. His adventurous spirit lead to many family vacations in the Chevy station wagon to Mexico, California and, of course, Ruidoso New Mexico. Our entire family loved our Dad, Daddy Jim, Big Jim, Jaimito very much and we will miss him each and every day! His calm presence was the strength of our family bond.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, MaryAnn and his son James Paul “Jimbo” Sitton, and his parents. He is survived by his daughters, Judy Sitton Allen-Williams of Magnolia Texas, JoAnn Sitton of El Paso, Texas and his brother Nick (Ann) Sitton, of Austin, Texas. Also, his grandchildren Justin (Sasha) Allen of Magnolia, Texas, Traci Bilski of New Braunfels, Texas, and Darryl (Katie) Allen of Magnolia, Texas. Jim and MaryAnn had nine great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all our friends and neighbors who were such a huge part of Jim’s life here in the valley. And we would like to acknowledge and give thanks for the great care he received from First Choice Hospice, AM Home Health and especially his caregiver Oscar.

There will be a private family service. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the following:

El Paso Community Foundation, James Paul Sitton Fund

333 North Oregon Street, El Paso, Texas 79901

https://epcf.org/sitton

Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church

7050 McNutt Road

Anthony, NM 88021