Tommy Pitts "Tommy T"

On September 19, 2023 our Beloved Brother, Uncle, Great Uncle, and friend Thomas Gerald (Tommy) Pitts passed away quietly at Sims State Veterans Nursing Home located in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Tommy was a resident of Mexico Beach, Florida for many years and owned and operated a local small business named Tommy T's. Tommy was born on October 14, 1947 in Pensacola, Florida and grew up in Gull Point.

Tommy served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and served one term in the Vietnam War. He was a Squad Leader with Company C 1st Battalion (Airborne) 501st Infantry. Tommy earned the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.

Tommy loved to hunt, fish, cook, spend time at his cabin and with family and friends. He also, loved a good game of Poker.

He is preceded in death by his father, Cecil A. Pitts and mother Arnelle Urbaniak Pitts. Tommy is survived by his sister Barbara (Pitts) Heintzelman, brothers, Blair (Patricia) Pitts, Billy Joe Pitts and Ronnie (Marie) Pitts and 9 nieces and nephews and many great and great great nieces and nephews.

Tommy will remain in the hearts of those who loved him.

October 3rd 2022

My Dedication Letter To My Uncle Tommy

My Hero

I'd like to believe that we all have a hero or heroes in our lifetime. Not the fictitious kind, but someone who has made an impact on your life in some way.

The word HERO is a noun. The definition of the word HERO is: A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.

In my lifetime I can say I have four heroes. One, my brother Bruce who would give you the shirt off his back and not expect anything in return. Secondly, my children Brianne and Frank William. They have taught me unconditional love, strength and pride. Lastly, my Uncle Tommy. Thomas Gerald Pitts.

I will get to the reasons as to why he is my hero, but let me just say this letter stems from a dream I had about him on October 2, 2022.

The Dream

The setting in my dream was a white concrete building built up on stilts. (Kind of like the beach house he lived in at one time) Below were ambulance vehicles. The building was set up for triage. On the steps leading up to the entrance Uncle Tommy was standing smiling from ear to ear. We started working on something. (Keep in mind this is a dream) There was a glow about him and he was dressed in white, young and tanned. He looked as if he got to see Heaven and knew he would be a part of Jacob's Ladder helping others. All of a sudden he says to me, "Meet me at the seafood restaurant on the corner". So, I went into the restaurant and waited, and waited and waited. Finally, I walked outside to go back to the triage building to find Uncle Tommy. I couldn't remember the street I crossed. The street I was on was crowded with people and the fireworks were going off. Then it dawned on me which street I needed to be on to get back. When I got back Uncle Tommy was sitting on the steps and asked me, "where have you been"? "Where were you"? I asked. He just kept that same smile the entire time. I looked down on the steps where he was sitting and on the steps were pencil shaped sticks with numbers on them. He said, "Pick a number". That is when I woke up from my dream.

The first thing I thought of was to have mom call him to be sure he was doing ok since he had not been doing well at the time. She called him and he was doing well.

I got to thinking of what that dream meant. Uncle Tommy at Christmas would have the family including the nieces and nephews play a game. Once, he gathered up some old Leggs Panty Hose containers that were shapped like eggs. He had us pick numbers to draw an egg. The fireworks in my dream reminded me of the time he lived in Crestview. We had spent July 4th with him and watched fireworks at one of the public parks.

Uncle Tommy was the first to get me to try deer meat. I was young and did not care for the taste. Not that Uncle Tommy was a bad cook he was actually a great cook. These are some of my many memories of him. I cherish them all.

Getting back to why Uncle Tommy is a hero and my hero. Uncle Tommy was a war hero. He served in the U.S. Army and served one term in the Vietnam War as a Paratrooper and was a Squad Leader with Company C 1st Battalion (Airborne) 501st Infantry. His rank was a Sergeant and was awarded the Silver Star. (The third highest medal to be given). Uncle Tommy earned the Silver Star by taking command of the squad when his leader was unable to command. Uncle Tommy was wounded during that time but took the lead by going around to his squad pointing out targets of the enemy. I can not imagine the scene. I can only imagine the kick into gear mentality it must have taken to risk his life.

Uncle Tommy is my hero for other reasons as well. He is a courageous, funny, brave, giving of himself, determined, lived life the best he knew how and made a good life by not buckling under pressures life threw his way.

He gave my son advice when he was joining the Army and comforted me when my son died. He told me, "Sharon, never give in and remember the good memories". I will forever cherish my Uncle Tommy and I thank him for his service and sacrifice he gave for our country.

Your Loving Niece,

Sharon

A visitation for Tommy will be held Monday, September 25, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, 1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32534, followed by a funeral service with committal prayer from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.EasternGateMemorial.com for the Pitts "Tommy T" family.