John H Pittillo

John "Harry" Pittillo passed away in the early hours of July 19th at the Veteran Administration's Valor House in Asheville after a short stay. Harry was born May 24, 1930, to P.C Pittillo of Henderson County and Edna Morrison, originally from Ohio. He was a native of Henderson County, growing up in the Fruitland community where he lived the majority of his 95 years. He is survived by his brother, Jack Pittillo, and family; two sisters, both of Henderson County; three daughters, Clarice Smith, Sabrina Pittillo, and Sonya Pittillo; and two sons, Mike Pittillo and John Nichols. His son Mike Pittillo is also a long-time resident of Fruitland.

Harry spent four years in the Air Force based in France, returning home to his beloved Fruitland in 1954. He later became a welder, working for General Electric for more than 30 years and retiring in the early 1990's. He was fond of telling stories of his childhood, reminiscing about life and ways of the 1930's and 1940's mountain community. He was always ready to spin a tale about his life filled with farming and hiking the mountains around his home. He loved gardening, traveling, and historical reading.

A funeral service will be held at eleven o'clock on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Fruitland Baptist Church. A graveside service, with military honors, will follow at Pittillo-Lanning Cemetery.