Gary Dean Litton

Gary D. Litton, 58, of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Woodhull, Illinois, died November 20, 2010 in Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix after a lengthy battle with heart disease. A celebration of life service will be held at Esterdahl Mortuary, Moline at 3:00 P.M., Friday, December 10, 2010. Reverend Becky Sherwood of First Presbyterian Church of East Moline is officiating. Cremation ensued upon his request. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of East Moline art fund. Gary was born on Kewanee, Illinois to Dean and Elizabeth Litton. He grew up on the family farm near Woodhull, Illinois, graduating President of his class at Alwood High School and attended the University of Illinois where he earned a degree in Architecture with honors. He joined the VISTA Volunteers and was attached to the Hawaii Design Center where he designed homes for the low income. Gary had a long successful career in the advertising field in Honolulu, Chicago and Phoenix. After he settled in Phoenix he was a very active volunteer in the arts community including the Scottsdale Culinary Group, Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the Herberger theater. He loved all the arts and had a brilliant eye for color and composition. He was a deacon with Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley and enjoyed their program feeding the homeless. He was a member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and a Fighting Illini fan. Gary loved to travel and was able to see the world with his partner of 37 years, Kathy Foley. He is survived by his father Dean Litton of Silvis, sister Luann (Dale) Demick of Davenport and also leaves a nephew and niece whom he adored, Shawn Demick of Iowa City and Samantha Demick of Davenport, and the love of his life Kathy Foley who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents. Online condolences may be expressed to Gary's family by visiting his obituary at www. esterdahl.com.