‘I’m not gonna doubt the Lord’ – cancer survivor J.R. Kitts

TOP PHOTO:  Last December, there was a ceremony declaring it “JR Kitts Day” in La Follette as the community came together for “Paint the Town Blue for JR Day.”  (Left to right) JR Kitts, Tracy Wilson, Bubba Wilson and Paul Provins at J.R.’s ceremony.  The day was the idea of Kitts’ granddaughter, Jaylynn.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – “My grandfather is the toughest, most strong willed person I know,” said Jaylynn Kitts of her grandfather J.R. Kitts.  To see Kitts today it doesn’t appear the energetic workaholic has been through a year’s fight with colorectal cancer.It was a year ago today when the grim news was handed down; J.R. has cancer.  “Whenever we found out the news, my heart just shattered, but God has been with him and our family every step of the way during this process.  It’s been a very hard year for our family, but we’re truly blessed,” said Jaylynn.

Whether in the shop or in the office, J.R. Kitts is most grateful to be back working full time.

J.R. recalls, “I was diagnosed about a year ago.  My surgery went well, and after about a week in the hospital, I was sent home wearing a colostopy bag (for about four months).  I started chemo through a port, and had trouble with the chemo.”  Kitts explains that that first chemo treatment really got him down for about a month.

“I was laying there in my bed having a pity party when the Lord spoke to me, and he spoke to me really, really well, saying nicely not to return for any more chemo, because he’d healed me inside,” said J.R.  The veteran tire dealer wrestled with that for three or four days which was just ahead of a scheduled visit with his chemo doctor.

(Left to right) Bill Floyd, Jeff Pace and J.R. Kitts on Tuesday morning at J.R.’s Tires.  

“The Lord spoke to me and said to tell my chemo doctor that I wasn’t coming back.  The doctor didn’t want to hear that,” said Kitts.  He explained to the doctor that he was giving it to the Lord upstairs and that everything was good.  Though he didn’t have an endorsement from his chemo doctor, J.R.’s family was 100 perecent behind him on his announcement.

Jaylynn said, “I just want to give God all of the praise and glory that he’s done for my grandfather and my family.  I also would like to personally thank each and every single person that has prayed for my papaw and our family.  Without everybody’s prayers and God answering the, he wouldn’t be where he is today.”

(Left to right) Mike Stanfield, unidentified customer, June Bug Kitts, Bill Waddell, Clara Rose Kitts, Harvey Harness, Bill Floyd, Jacent Jones, Jeff Pace, Jaylynn Kitts, Ashley Kitts, Sadie Kitts, JR Kitts, Tony Johnson, Tracy Wilson, Brandon Johnson, Bubba Wilson and Katherine Kitts gathered on J.R. Kitts Day in December 2019.

Kitts has not been back for an X-ray or MRI to see if the cancer is gone.  “I’m not going to doubt God, because God has taken me through it,” said J.R.  He’s back at work full time after he wasn’t able to work full time for about four months doing what he loves doing; working and talking to the public and offering deals on new and used tires to help Campbell Countians.

During Kitts’ battle with cancer and the pandemic, none of his 20-some employees has been laid off.  “Everybody’s got to work.  Our folks have family and kids to feed,” he said.  Additionally, J.R. puts back all he can into the county, and he’s most thankful for that.

Jaylynn doubles working at her grandfather J.R.’s tire store while attending college.

“Cancer is a scary word, but it’s gonna take more than that to bring my papaw down.  He’s doing wonderful, and I thank God for it.  He’s working just as hard today as he was before,” said Jaylynn.  She added, “I love him to heaven and back.”  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/01/2020-6AM)