James "Jimmie" Hite.
Hite was born January 12, 1930 in Audrain County, Missouri, the son of Glen T. and Marie (Gilmore) Hite Sr. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as Corporal in the Korean War. Hite was Presbyterian by faith, and was a trainer of American Saddlebred horses all his life, starting at the Old Missouri Stables in St. Louis, in 1949 at the age of 19. After serving his country in the Korean War, Hite returned to Missouri Stables until the early 1960s, when he opened his own stable, “Breezy Point” in Chesterfield, Missouri, and in 1989 purchased property in New Melle, subsequently building “Jimmie Hite Stables” in 1991, which he continued to own and operate up to the time of his passing.
Hite was a member of the Missouri Horse Show Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, United Professional Horseman Association, United States Equestrian Association, and New Melle Chamber of Commerce.
He earned many awards during his 62 years in the horse business, including: 1985 – St Louis National Charity Horse Show Hall of Fame; 1991 - Honored as one of the “8 Missouri Legends” at the American Royal Concert of Champions; 1997 – Missouri State Horse Show Association “Horse Trainer of the Year”; 2003 – Missouri State Fair “Hall of Fame” for 50 years of showing at the Missouri State Fair; and 2003 – Missouri Horse Show Association “President Award.”
Hite is survived by one sister, Betty Turner and husband, Adam of Mexico; one niece, Deb Turner of Manchester; one nephew, Dan Turner of Redding, Ca.; and good friends and employees, Max Ciamopli and Tina Glosemeyer.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Friday, December 2, at Arnold Funeral Home with Rev. Robert H. Marty officiating. Visitation is from 12 noon until service time Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Saddlebred Museum or the donor’s choice, c/o Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.