James Gray Kittel, 64 of New Smyrna Beach passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2011 after a courageous 17 month battle with cancer.  He was born on October 31, 1946 in Westfield, Massachusetts to Rudolf and Winifred Kittel and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 3:30 at Sugar Mill Country Club.  Jim was loved globally as he traveled to seventeen countries as a young electronics engineer working with Gerber Scientific and Hewlett Packard in Orlando.  The latter from which he retired after 35 years of the "old HP way",  many of the best years of our lives together.  Jim and Patricia aka the Pickleman and Mad Pat also had a gourmet food business for the past eleven years.  He and Pat greatly enjoyed participating in the local New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market. Although Jim's presence made it a fun go-to-place on Saturday mornings.  To Jim, everyone had a story to tell. Everyone added value and he had a story for everyone.  Jim was a consummate companion and friend.  Always anxious to remedy a project.  Jim was able to fix anything.  He was mechanically inclined too.  He was able to build kitchen cabinets, repair screens, sprinklers, boats, cars, and put out fires.  His pet peve was "customer service".  Likewise, Jim expected quality service when he was the customer.  He loved spending time at his home with his family.  Jim especially enjoyed his newly found friends both on the Inlet and in Sugar Mill Country Club.  He was crazy about his biggest challenge in retirement -- golf.  Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 25 years, Patricia and their sheltie Miss Haley.  In Jim's honor donations may be made to Hospice of Volusia Flagler, 3800 Wood Briar Rd, Port Orange.  Thank you for all of your kindnesses.  Thanks to everyone who has sent emails, cards, phonecalls and most of all your prayers.  He was my hero, my love, our Pic.  In honor of Jim's Celebration of Life dress attire will be golf shorts.  Memories may be shared with the family at Baldwincremation.com     In Jim's honor donations may be made to Hospice of Volusia Flagler, 3800 Wood Briar Rd, Port Orange.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 3:30 at Sugar Mill Country Club.  In honor of Jim's Celebration of Life dress attire will be golf shorts.