"Jim" Ervin James Bitter, 81, of Leesburg, Florida, passed away on November 11, 2024. Jim was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 28, 1942 to Ervin John and Dorothy Wurth Bitter. Him was married to Rita Endres.Jim worked as a professional bass fisherman with Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. He devoted himself to his lifelong love of fishing into a very successful career. He also loved hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons on his farm ponds and woods at his Indiana log cabin.Jim is survived by his loving wife, Rita; sons, Gary (Paige) and Randy (Dee Dee); grandchildren, Lauren, Ryan, Camden, Alex (Brittany), and Austin (Heather); great-daughters, Addison and Avery; sisters, Barbara Jungkunz, Nancy Blum, M. L. Uthus, and Judy Dubose; and brother, John.Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Ervin John and Dorothy Bitter; sisters, Lois Verderber and Shirley Klems; and brother, Tim Bitter.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jims name may be sent to the Alzheimers Association or Hospice of Marion County, Florida.A private memorial service will be held later at the Lone Oak Cemetery in Leesburg, Florida. Funeral Home Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL - 32609 US 352-378-2528