Chet Pitman

Chet Pitman passed away after a short illness on March 14, 2007, in Chandler, Ariz.. Chet was born in Fowler, Kansas on May 20, 1930, to Leonard and Edna Pitman. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 54 years, Carolyn; sister, Nola Jane; daughter, Debbie (Steve); son, Wade (Pauline); and granddaughters, Alisha, Audrey, Stephanie and Christina.
Chet was a star athlete in high school and college, and his passion for sports continued throughout his life. He was very proud to have served his country and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1956.
Chet and Carolyn owned and operated a Western Auto franchise in Elkom along with his parents, from 1958 until they sold the business and moved to Arizona in 1979. While in Elko, Chet was active in the Lions Club, Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball, and several other civic organizations. He was a city councilman in the late 1960s and was instrumental in getting the city's first indoor pool constructed, as well as construction of the Ruby View Golf Course.
He and Carolyn made numerous friends in Arizona working in the real estate business, and he will especially be missed by his golfing buddies, a group affectionately known as the "Boggs" (Bunch of Old Guys Golfing). Known for his sense of humor, story telling and fondness for practical jokes, the fairways of Arizona will never be the same without him.
Most of all, "Papa" was a tremendous husband, father, grandfather and friend. We all feel tremendously blessed to have spent as much time as we did with him and will miss him terribly.
A memorial service will be held at Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, Ariz. 85248 on Sunday, March 25, 2007, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends may remember him by making a donation in his memory to: Autism Speaks, 2 Park Ave., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10016 or at www.autismspeaks.org