Freestone County, Texas	 	
Obituaries


Joe Earl Pitman
(Died April 7, 2011)

Joe Earl Pitman

Funeral services for Joe Earl Pittman were held on Sunday, April 10, 2011, at 
2:00p.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague. Interment followed the services at 
Driver Cemetery. Bro. Bobby Rutherford, Jr. officiated.

Born in Mexia Texas, Joe Pittman was a smart and independent child who was 
forced to grow up fast and take care of himself. This included picking cotton 
in order to buy his school shoes at the early age of seven. He loved fishing
and hunting from a very young age and had a way with animals, especially dogs.

He joined the Navy at age 17 and served his country in World War II as an 
electrician on the U.S.S. Bairoko. Once out of the Navy, he landed in New 
Mexico where he took a job as a ranch hand and enjoyed taming broncos, herding
cattle and mastered the art of roping. He even roped a jack rabbit once!

In 1951 he married the love of his life, Joy Little and together they have 
four children. He loved his daughters and his dog Fritz with all his heart and
never missed saying “I love you and you be careful” with every phone call and 
visit.

He worked as Master Plumber for Frymire Engineering until he started his own 
plumbing business in Dallas in the early 80’s. Eventually he wanted to move 
back to the country where he enjoyed hunting and fishing, so he chose Fairfield
(which had been his home away from home) as the place to build his dream cabin.
With very little help and financed solely with each passing plumbing call, he
often went without food and sleep and worked to near exhaustion to finish it 
in time for the family Christmas.

He loved visiting the coffee shops and cafes in town where he befriended the
waitresses and the locals. He was friendly to all, and he knew he could always
count on his close friends. And they were loved and cherished to the very end.

His later years were riddled with health problems that limited him in so many 
ways. But he managed to live by himself and take care of his yard and his dog
until May of 2010. He spent the last year living with his daughters more 
contentedly than we thought possible, given his independent nature. This move
turned out to be the blessing of a lifetime - it enabled him to further bond 
with his family and get to know his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He fought incredibly hard to overcome his ailing body, but in the end he was
ready to be with his Lord.

His guiding principles were: A man is only as good as his word Always look
people in the eye Take responsibility for your actions Be a good listener and 
THINK before you act

Mr. Pittman is survived by his daughters: Jeanie Yelverton & husband Jim from
Long View, Gwen Rouse & husband Steve from Hugo, Oklahoma, Elaine Whittle &
husband Jeff of Powderly and Tricia Pittman of Dallas; grandchildren, Melissa,
Tanya, Sabrina, matt, Julia, Trevor, Michael, Gwen, Cassie, Trista & daughter,
Abby, Parker and Peyton; 16 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great–grandchild, as
well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents,
Leslie and Lapaloma Pittman; brothers, Leslie Pittman, Jr. and Gene Pittman.