STARL PITTMAN

1929 - 2023

STARL RODNEY PITTMAN

Sept 2, 1929 Sept. 19, 2022

Starl Rod Pittman died shortly after his 93rd birthday. Although he knew he had terminal cancer, he still had plans right up until the end: to graft pineapple guavas, test some new planting strategies, and see his son Eddie's new cheese project. This was no different from the rest of his life, when each day held both small and large pursuits for new knowledge. In fact, a series of journals he kept through the years captured and numbered each exciting new finding. He was up in the thousands.

Born in small Duncan, Oklahoma, Rod struggled in school and found solace on a ranch just over the border in Texas, where he raced on his bike to work after school. Rod then served inthe U.S. Air Force, inspecting F-86 Sabre jets in Asia during the Korean War. He lost most of his hearing doing this, but fell in love with the diversity of farming techniques he discovered while abroad.

Back in the USA, Rod met his beautiful and feisty wife, Jerrie, when they were both rodeo competitors in California. They put down roots there to raise their family. Rod became a licensed entomologist and advised farms on insect control, including helping conventional farms convert to organic growing methods. Throughout his life, he advised countless people all over the world on many types of farms and gardens. He was particularly passionate about compost, calling it the key to the kingdom.

Rod and Jerrie moved to Metro Atlanta fourteen years ago to be closer to their son and his family. Rod served as the farm consultant at the largest organic farm in the state of Georgia for most of that time, helping maximize the yield per acre and create new market options. He also helped start and continue the state's largest volunteer-run community garden, which donates regularly to those in need.

When asked what he wanted everyone to know, he replied, Beets can be planted yearround. If you put a fire brick over the seed bed and keep it wet, the seeds should germinate, and then he smiled, his blue eyes sparkling as usual.

Rod is survived by Jerrie, his wife of 59 years; his son, Eddie and wife Laura; his granddaughter, Carly; and his older brother, Jerrie (also), and family.

He was preceded in death by his and his wife's daughter, Debbie, who died at age 17.

In his final days, he said, I know everything is in good hands. He died in peace. The seeds of knowledge, community, and bounty that Rod Pittman planted in his life will no doubt continue to grow for years to come.

Funeral services for Rod will be held on March 29, 2023, at Hems Brothers Mortuary at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at Grasso's Italian Restaurant beginning at 4 p.m., with food and drinks served.