Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Michael David Pittman, his sister, Nita Kay Pittman, and by both of his parents, Clyde and Lucy Dee (Davis) Pittman.
Jerry leaves behind his devoted daughter, Gena Pittman Heffner (Ashley), and his two cherished grandchildren, Reid Ashley Heffner and Hannah Renee Heffner, and was looking forward to meeting his first great-grandchild, who is expected to arrive in January 2025. He also leaves behind 2 brothers, Clyde Lyle (Brenda) Pittman and Darryl “Bubby” Pittman, and 2 sisters, Tonya Pittman Wiesen and Terri Pittman (Timothy) Moore, and a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.
He was born in Columbia, Mississippi on April 6, 1951. From a young age, Jerry had a brilliant mind and a strong work ethic. As a 2nd grader, he delivered newspapers to earn enough money to attend a movie and enjoy a Coke and popcorn. Later in life, he followed in his father’s footsteps to become a Piping Designer in the Engineering department at local shipyards and in the oil industry. In 1982, he founded a very successful contract staffing agency, Jerry Pittman & Associates, which is still running strong today under the leadership of his daughter, who learned from the best. He was a wise, self-educated man who lived life largely, without regrets, and on his own terms.
Jerry Pittman was a man of integrity. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War where he was a machine gunner for the Marine Corps. He honored a fallen Marine friend by naming his son, Michael David, after him. Jerry's greatest accomplishment was the strong family legacy he built. He was a devoted family man who took great pride in his land, where he raised cows and grew watermelons, reflecting his roots from Columbia to Vancleave. He was a family man who continued to care for his children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Although he traveled much of the world, Jerry also enjoyed simple pleasures, like a bowl of gumbo, a shrimp po'boy, and good music. Jerry was a true New Orleans Saints fan and was a long-term season ticket holder. If there was a Saints game happening, Jerry Pittman was either at the game or watching from a television somewhere. He and his grandson, Reid, witnessed history in the making when they attended Super Bowl XLIV when the Saints won.
Near the end of his life, he joked with the hospital nursing staff by using David Allan Coe’s lyrics, “I’ll hang around as long as you will let me.” He was one of a kind and was loved fiercely by his family, friends, and community.
Semper Fi
The funeral service will be at 3:00pm on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia, MS. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00pm until service time. Burial will follow in the Baxter - Pittman Family Cemetery in Foxworth.
