John David Pittman

John David Pittman died Saturday, November 27, 2010, at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care. The son of Sam and Alice Fox Pittman, he was born in Burke County on February 26, 1938. He attended Morganton public schools, and graduated from Western Piedmont Community College. He received his undergraduate and Masters degrees from Appalachian State University. His working career was spent serving the State of North Carolina. He worked at Broughton Hospital, Western Carolina Center, and Vocational Rehabilitation, but the majority of his 33 years of service was spent as a psychologist with the Developmental Evaluation Center. When he retired in 1995, he was Director of DEC in Hickory, NC. He was a dental technician in the US Navy from 1955 to 1959.In 1957 he married Frances Norman, and they spent 53 wonderful years together. They have three daughters and three grandsons, all of whom were the lights of his life. He was a very active member of First Advent Christian Church, serving as a deacon and on various committees. He loved the outdoors, especially the mountains, and was an avid hiker and camper. He loved to raise a vegetable garden, and was well known for the green beans he grew and shared with many friends and family members.He is survived by his wife, Frances Norman Pittman, three daughters, Renee Pittman Morgan of Morganton, Beth Pittman of Atlanta, GA, Anita Pittman-Knox and her husband Steve Knox of Dallas, Georgia; three grandsons, Jordan Morgan, Reilly Knox, and Collin Knox; one brother Claude Pittman and his wife, Ruth of Hiddenite, NC; and one sister, Elizabeth Pittman Heckle and her husband Fred, of Jacksonville, NC; two nieces, Kim Pittman Karslake and Angie Heckle Rodriguez; and three special cousins, Betty Storie, Jonnie Williams, and Kermit Fox. He is also survived by his dear friend, Jim Madison, who was his hiking and camping buddy for many years.He was highly respected and well loved by all who had the privilege of being a part of his life.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at First Advent Christian Church with Rev. Adrian Shepard officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. Memorial donations may be made to First Advent Christian Church Building Fund at 211 Lenoir Rd, Morganton, NC 28655.