Estel Ray Pittenger

Ray was born July 6, 1930 in Huntington, WV to the late Alva Ray Pittenger and Omogene Roach Pittenger. He was a veteran of the US Army and was retired from AT&T after more than 30 years of service.

Talk about a well lived life! We measure Ray’s by the number of people he loved and the number of people who loved him. He was a special man who touched everyone he met with his humor, his optimism, his patience and his sincerity. Ray adored his wife, loved his children and reveled in his grandchildren and great grandchildren-all 24 of them!

To his friends he was known as PITT-THE GREAT. And it was not for the great big fishing tales he told, but for the great big heart he shared with all.

As his friends and as his family, we will miss him. But his departure leaves not a void. We are richer for Ray having been in our lives and we will hold him in our hearts forever.

Ray is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 30 years, Glima Pittenger of Raleigh, NC; sister, Janet Sue Thomas of Mountain City, TN; sons, David Pittenger of Houston, TX; Ricky Pittenger of Knoxville, TN; daughters, Jean Ann Grimes of Richmond, VA; Toni McCreery of Sarasota, FL; Jayne McNeill of Chesapeake, OH; Debbie Hammersla of Raleigh, NC; 15 Grandchildren, Christopher, Kate and Jack Pittenger; Samantha, Sloan and Stuart Pittenger; Darren and Kevin Grimes; Cristi and Brandon McCreery; Misty Bennett and Brad McNeill; Tristan, Chandler and Spencer Hammersla; and 9 Great Grandchildren, Brooklyn Bennett; Braden and Ava McNeill; William McCreery; Knox Furlong; Keon Grimes; Ethan and Desirae McCreery and Brayleigh Siebel. WE LOVE US SOME PAPA!

Special thanks to Drs. Pace and Singh of Sarasota, Florida, Dr. Shroff of Duke Primary Care, Dr. Gring and Dr Atkeson of Wake Vascular and Cardiology and Helen and Miles of 6A WakeMed. Ray loved and respected you.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm Friday, September 30, 2011 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook, Raleigh, NC 27609. Interment will follow the service at Raleigh Memorial Park. The family will receive friends following the graveside service at the home of Mark and Debbie Hammersla, 8620 Bournemouth Drive, Raleigh, NC 27615.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to WakeMed Foundation, 3000 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27610.

www.BrownWynneMillbrook.com