John Pendleton Pitcairn

PITCAIRN John Pendleton Pitcairn passed into the spiritual world on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. He was 88 years old. He was the beloved husband of Sue Kowalski Pitcairn, his wife of 57 years.Born in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, he was the son of aviation pioneer Harold F. Pitcairn and Clara Davis Pitcairn. John graduated the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn. At eighteen, he joined Captain Robert Bartlett's arctic expedition. He was accepted as a Naval Cadet and later joined the Merchant Marine. After his military service, he attended the University of Arizona and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School Of Business. His work with Southern Minerals Corporation and PPG Industries Inc., which was founded in 1883 by his grandfather, brought him to Corpus Christi, Texas where he met and married Sue and raised their family. John was known as a gentleman who loved to dress well and had the ability to befriend people from all walks of life. He was full of humor and enjoyed life. Those around him could not resist his charm and wit. He was also a dedicated father and husband who loved his family dearly.John was a talented pilot, yachtsman and photographer. He loved the sea and was an active member and past commodore of the Corpus Christi Yacht Club. He was a member of Centuria Club, Beachcombers Club, the National Council of the Santa Fe Opera and the Corpus Christi Town Club. A Republican when there were few in South Texas, he remained an active and steadfast member of the Republican Party throughout his life. John was also a long-time director of Pitcairn Company, based in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the National Council on Alcoholism. John had been in recovery for twenty-eight years and remained involved and close to his recovery friends until the time of his death.In addition to his wife, John is survived by his sons, Christopher Stuart Pitcairn of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Harold F. 'Rick' Pitcairn, II of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, grandchildren, Michael Max Pitcairn of Corpus Christi, Texas, Lauren Leigh Pitcairn and John Pendleton Pitcairn, III of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania , and sisters Judith Rhodes and Charis Cole of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania . He is preceded in death by his parents, son, John Pendleton Pitcairn, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Dayle Beatty Pitcairn.The family is most grateful for the excellent care provided by the Holmgreen Center and Vista Care Hospice and to his caregivers Amy Garcia, Veronica Rendon and his friend, John Tullos. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Church of the Good Shepherd located at 700 S. Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, Texas.