Leland Stanford Kitada
Leland Stanford Kitada (Lee), age 76, of Novi, Michigan passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025. In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on Leland’s tribute wall at detroitcremationsociety.com.
Lee was born on December 21, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Masao Bill and Haruye (Ikeya) Kitada. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America Lee achieved their highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Raised in Detroit, Lee is an alumnus of Cody High School and a former member of the football team, track and field team (pole vault), and swim team (diving). He also is a proud alumnus of Schoolcraft College (Associate Degree) and Eastern Michigan University (Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree).
After college Lee served his country as a Peace Corps volunteer stationed in the island country of Samoa, which was the perfect location for his passion for animals, ocean, and science. He was a science teacher. His life in science led to his interest in photography. He mastered the science of light and the chemistry of developing photographs.
Lee’s professional career included many years as the Manager of the Camera Department at Big George’s Home Appliance Mart in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His reputation proceeded him becoming well known as “The Camera Man” and being acknowledged in several books. His eye for detail led to his transfer to Inventory Manager and then later to the company’s Witbeck Home Appliance Mart branch in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Lee retired after 37 years at the company.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents Masao Bill (age 90) and Haruye Kitada (age 77), and his aunt Junko Mizuta (age 100).
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife Ann Hermanowski-Kitada, his son Eric Kitada, and daughters Amanda Looney (Kevin), Leela Purcell, Sina Buckingham, Toi Timpke (Chris), grandchildren Joachim, Jesse, Jetlee, Paulina, Jadon, Joe, Justis, Devin, several nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous colleagues and many dear neighborhood family friends. Lee will be missed by all who knew him.
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
The Kitada family have been the most awesome extended family to me, my children and grandchildren, Lee was one of a kind. Memories of him will Bless me
Lee and I go back almost forty years to when I was a rookie photographer and he was the master of the medium. We have stayed in touch those many years and it’s been a pleasure watching his family grow up. I looked forward to seeing Lee and Annie at my art fairs where they always came by to see me and my long time assistant Nathan—thoughtfully often bringing treats to munch on. He will be missed. Aloha.
Lee married my best friend Annie, shortly there after we became friends. The 3 of us shared many good times, especially in the labor and delivery room, twice. Rest well my friend. I will miss you, now that I’m the “older lady”. Till we meet again.
My husband and I knew Lee and Annie before they were married. It was an honor to be part of their wedding and to be included into their family. Lee loved Annie and his children, and was very proud of his family. He was a great photographer and friend. He will be missed. We love you Lee.
I was very sorry to hear about Lee’s passing. We had known each other for decades, and even though we weren’t related, we always called each other “half-bro.” Lee and I shared a love of photography and cameras, and I always enjoyed stopping in to see him at Big George’s in Ann Arbor and sharing a booth at camera shows. We shared a lot of laughs over the years, and those are memories I’ll always be grateful for. My thoughts are with everyone who loved him.
Deepest sympathy for your loss. We shared lots of good times with your family from boys football & wrestling to the girls Girlscout & school events.
Glad you were able to share all your great memories before his passing! In our thought & prayers!