Harlan "H.B." Pitchford

Harlan B. Pitchford, Jr. was born October 29, 1931 in Avinger, Texas to Mary Harston Pitchford and Harlan B. Pitchford, Sr. He went to be with the Lord on December 28, 2023. H.B. grew up in Avinger and graduated from Avinger High School, Class of 1949. He went on to attend East Texas Baptist University and graduated from East Texas State University in Commerce with a bachelor's degree in business. After graduation, H.B. joined the Army and served his country proudly before starting work at Lone Star Steel in the Dallas office. After 29 years, he retired and returned home to Avinger, Texas where he and Frances built their log house in the woods. He was proud of his hometown and was a big supporter of the Avinger Indians. H.B. attended Daingerfield Church of Christ. He was a good man with a good heart and he will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Frances Pitchford of Avinger; children, Donese Simmons and husband, Scott of Marshall, Jeanie Marie Pitchford of Chicago, Sylvia Jane Pitchford-Hurd and husband, Kevin of Shreveport, Patricia Louise Pitchford and husband, Jimmy Lohman of Avinger; grandchildren, Grayson Porter and wife, Payton, Caroline Hurd, Laura Hurd, Casey Jo Henslee, Billy Dale Henslee, Jay Bridges Henslee, Savannah Simmons, Cheyenne Spencer and husband, Thomas, Olivia Simmons; great-grandchildren, Landon, Lane, and Laiken Porter, and Cheyenne Henslee; and a host of extended family and friends.
Services for Mr. Pitchford will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Reeder-Davis Chapel with Mark White officiating. Burial will follow at Avinger Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. There will be a time of visitation from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.