Matthew Ernest Pitman

Matthew Ernest Pitman, 58, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on August 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous two-and-a-half-year fight against cancer and a life well lived.

Born on August 31, 1966, to the late Donald Dean Pitman and Carol Wilder Pitman, Matthew spent his entire life on the river he loved, the St. Johns. A devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle and nephew, he married “his person,” Meloney Louise Humphreys, and together they created a home rooted in love, family, and the outdoors. To his three children — Hasley, Hope, and Halle — he was not only the best father but their biggest fan.

Matthew’s lifelong career began at just 17 when he started working at Rodney E. Lay & Associates. After many years of working in an industry he loved, Matthew became the proud owner of Lay, Pitman & Associates and the co-founder of American Vessel Services with his wife. His expertise in naval architecture, engineering, and vessel inspection services left a lasting mark on the maritime community.

An outdoorsman at heart, Matthew had a profound love for not only the water but the land — whether it was fishing out back, offshore fishing, turkey hunting, or gardening. His skill, patience, and passion for the outdoors were matched only by the joy he found in sharing those moments with family and friends.

Matthew is survived by his devoted wife of 28 years, Meloney Louise Pitman; his daughters, Hasley Louise Pitman, Hope Amelia Pitman and Halle May Pitman; his mother, Carol Wilder Pitman; his four siblings, Jere Pitman (Susan), Susie Slappey (Mark), Donna Robertson (Rod - dec), and Lynne Parry (Billy); and his many nieces and nephews, who adored their Uncle Matt Matt. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Dean Pitman.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church on August 16th, 2025. A celebration of Matthew’s life will follow at the family’s home. Matt believed you should always “leave it better than you found it,” and we can proudly say he did just that.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation, ncf.net, in memory of “Capt. Trout.” #PitmanStrong.