Howard Phillip “Bitt” Thrower

Howard Phillip “Bitt” Thrower hit his final homerun when he entered the gates of heaven on October 11, 2016 after a heroic and courageous battle with cancer.  Bitt was 59 years old.  He was born October 7, 1957 in LaGrange, GA to Mae Omie Hale Thrower and the late John Jefferson Thrower, Sr.

Bitt was a 1975 graduate of Troup High School where he played varsity basketball and was an outstanding baseball player.  He was named Troup County’s Player of the Year his senior year.  He attended Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Columbus, GA where he played baseball for one fall season.  After that, he played one year of developmental baseball for a Canton, GA league team and hit 22 homeruns.  During the 1970’s and 1980’s he played semi-pro softball for Pearl Beer Rangers, Mann’s Veneer, Gold Key and Bee Hive hitting over 400 home runs.  He was a homerun king and never lost the ability to hit a softball or baseball out of the ballpark.

Bitt worked for MBLR, LLC for over thirty years.  He was a tough, hard-working businessman.  He was a crowd pleaser, a people person, and he was always committed to doing the job well.

Bitt was a mountain of a man and had a phenomenal memory.  He was a thinker and could talk to anyone about anything at any time.  Needless to say, his favorite topic was sports.  In addition to sports, he loved the Lord, his family, the sunshine, his backyard pools, the Florida beaches and watching action-packed movies.  His collection of DVDs was massive.  Bitt’s personality attracted people to him like a magnet.

Bitt had a kind and caring heart and was generous to a fault.  He would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it and did so many times.

During his final three and a half years of life, he experienced an enormous amount of joy being with his family. He especially enjoyed watching his twin daughters, Calie and Kalie, play basketball.  He was Great Day Basketball’s #1 fan. 

Bitt was a faithful and devoted member of First Baptist Church in Cumming.  Even in his darkest hour, he never failed to thank the Lord for his blessings.  At the time of his passing, he had read the entire Bible more than four times. 

Bitt was preceded in death by his dad, John Jefferson Thrower, Sr. and brother, John Jefferson Thrower, Jr.

Those left to cherish is memory and morn his passing are his son, John Harley Thrower of Cumming, GA; daughters, Amber Thrower (Brandon Worley) of Jonesboro, GA; Calie Thrower of Cumming of GA and Kalie Thrower of Cumming, GA; mother, Omie Thrower of Oxford, GA; sisters, Faye Williams (Travis) of Stone Mountain, GA and Kaye Thrower of Covington, GA; brother, David Thrower of Perry, GA; sister-in-law, Carol Thrower of Boynton Beach, FL; grandchildren, Tiree Worley of Jonesboro, GA; Adrianna Worley, Jonesboro of GA; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, friends, special friend, Maria Gomez and Yellow Lab, Kelsy.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Cumming with Rev. Scott Carpenter officiating.  The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service.  Cremation will follow the service and Bitt’s ashes will be buried in LaGrange, GA at a later date.

It was Bitt’s wish that, in lieu of flowers a fund be established for his daughters, Calie and Kalie.  Those desiring to donate toward this fund may do so by submitting their contribution to the “Calie and Kalie Thrower Educational Fund” at Citizens Bank of Cumming, P.O. Box 2820, Cumming, GA 30028.

The family of the late Howard Phillip “Bitt” Thrower would like to express their most profound gratitude for the many acts of kindness you have shown during our time of sorrow.  Your prayers have been heard, your love has been felt and your generosity has been overwhelming.  Our hearts deeply appreciate all that you have done and we will always remember your care and compassion.

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.