Johnny Mathew Bittick

Johnny Mathew Bittick passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025 in Plano Texas, He was surrounded by his children and loving family. Johnny was born January 17, 1940 in Ryan, OK to Earl and Edith Bittick.

Johnny grew up on his family farm in Ryan , and started off his day milking cows before heading off to school. He attended and graduated from Irving Ryan School in 1958, and attended North Texas State College in Denton TX from 1959 to1962.

As a young boy he dreamed of becoming a Naval Aviator, and in 1962, that dream became a reality, when he was accepted, and entered into the Naval Academy, and thereafter achieved the rank of Captain. serving our country until his retirement, in 1989.

He flew as a fighter pilot in two combat tours of duty in Vietnam, and had over 600 carrier landings while completing approximately 200 successful missions.

During his time of service, he was accepted in the second ever class of the Top Gun program, and graduated there at the top of his class. He retired as Commanding Officer of the Dallas Naval Air Station.

In the early 1970’s he started flying as a commercial airline co-pilot for Braniff Airlines, and was soon after promoted to airline captain. He retired from Braniff Airlines in 1982, and in 1983 he piloted for Piedmont Airlines, then after a merger, he flew for US Airlines. He retired from his airline career in 1999.

In 2012, he moved to Moss Lake with his wife, Janie, where he and Janie attended the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, where he served as a deacon until his passing, and was organizing one of his passions, “Operation Christmas Child”.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 58yrs, Janie.

Johnny is survived by this daughter Deborah O’Connor and husband Ken of Graham, son Jeff Bittick and wife Lori of The Colony, daughter Kathi Bittick Stokes and her husband Dean of Gainesville, grandchildren: Stephen Bell, Trevor Bell, Kimberly Huseman, Alison Bittick, April Blanton, Duncan Witt and great grandchildren Amelia Blanton, August Blanton and Phoebe Bell.

A Visitation for Mr Bittick will be held at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville, Texas on Sunday, November 30, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Texas on Monday, December 1,2025 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery.

Thank you for your support.