John J. Pitman

John Jay Pitman, 87 of Idaho Falls passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

He was born July 1, 1922, in Coltman, Idaho, to John Taylor and Frances Ann Price Pitman.

John grew up on a farm in Milo, Idaho. He attended Rigby schools and graduated in 1941. He attended Ricks College for one semester and transferred to NYAVS Machinist School in Weiser, Idaho, after Pearl Harbor. He worked briefly at the shipyards in Bremerton, Washington, before entering the U.S. Army Air Force. He served in India and was discharged in spring 1946 as a sergeant.

He married Carol B. Washburn on May 22, 1946, in Idaho Falls.

John worked in the Idaho Falls area most of his life. He was a fireman and a building inspector for the city, and played clarinet and saxophone in dance bands. In 1956, he went to work as a maintenance carpenter at the INEL and retired after 23 years in 1980.

John loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had a lifelong love of horses, western history and geography. He was a talented musician who played many instruments.

John was very outgoing and loved to visit with his many friends and relatives. Playing pinochle and Sixty Five were favorite pastimes.

He is survived by his wife, Carol of Idaho Falls; a daughter, Linda Gail (Dick) Deschane of St. Joseph, Mo.; two sons, Douglas Ray Pitman of Jackson, Wyo., and J. Randall (Rebecca) Pitman of Boise, Idaho; and a sister, Eva Christensen of Las Vegas, Nev. He is also survived by six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Frances Pitman; his brothers, Elmer, Glen and Robert (Bud); his sisters, Hazel Westover, Mae Killian and Edith Hughes; and a great-grandson, Caed E. Scheel.

Special thanks are given to the staff of Creekside Hospice for all of their caring help and dedication.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 9, 2009, at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 East 17th Street in Idaho Falls. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Bonneville County Veterans Team. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Creekside Home Health and Hospice, 3688 Washington Parkway, Idaho Falls, ID 83404.

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