Tom Pittman Gone West

[Forrest Barber]

Just got the phone call from Ernie Bryant then the e-mail :

Good talking with you again, Thanks for spreading the word on Tom's passing September 15th. Ernie Bryant 757.495.1582

For the new guys: Tom Pittman was an engineer at Taylorcraft in the 1940's, he and Ernie, Bennie Lawrence, David Byrd and MANY others have attended the Taylorcraft Fly-In here in Alliance for MANY years. Tom formed and ran the VCTOC ; Virginia-Carolina Taylorcraft Owners Club , he and Bennie Lawerence did a great job. Some of Bennies ashes are scattered here at 2D1.

More information will be coming onto this thread as I get it. Ernie will send obit soon. Tom was in a nursing home and had dementia , our information was being forwarded to him. Farewell Old Friend, will all miss you...
Please add to the thread of thoughts for the family.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tom Pittman Gone West

I had really hoped to see Tom again. He was a wonderful, good friend. I went looking for pictures of him and the only digital one I have of him is attached. Most of the ones I have are pre-electronic camera era.
I don't have a single shot of us together. My dad is the guy on the far right in the picture. He wanted to meet Tom because of all I had told him about him. As I look through my "stuff" I have piles of photos of Toms plane, but very few of him. From now on I plan to change my photo priorities. I miss him already.
Safe flight Tom and we will be listening for a pilots report when we start our journey. Have them mow the field!

Hank

[Doc]

Re: Tom Pittman Gone West

ave atque vale - civis aerius sum!

[rail]

Re: Tom Pittman Gone West

I met Tom several times and he was always very helpful if I had questions about Taylorcrafts during a restoration project.

Bennie Lawrence was a very close friend and mentor during my days of learning about Taylorcrafts. We flew his "41" many hours together, what great memories!

They both nourished Taylorcraft interest and history!

Charles

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Tom Pittman Gone West

Ernie came through today.... here is the obit:

PITTMAN, Thomas Everette Jr., formerly of Appomattox, died Wednesday, September 15, 2010. He was born July 9, 1925 in Gates, N.C. to Thomas E. Pittman Sr. and Lillian Turner Pittman and was a longtime resident of the Town of Appomattox. Mr. Pittman attended VPI and his love of flying took him to Taylorcraft Builders in Ohio. When the plant began to cut back on airplane building, he returned to Virginia and began 40 years of employment with the Virginia Department of Highways, first in the Emporia/Franklin area and later was instrumental in the building of Interstate 95 in the Fredericksburg area. In 1970, he was transferred to Appomattox as resident engineer for the City of Lynchburg, Campbell and Appomattox counties. He flew his 1945 Taylorcraft up until the day he broke his hip in 2008, at which time he moved to the Richmond area. Mr. Pittman served in the United States Army with the Army Security Agency. He was the widower of Anne Clark Pittman, who died in 2007. He is survived by his son, Thomas Clark Pittman of Richmond; a brother, Robert T. Pittman and his wife, Ruth, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; nieces and great-nieces; and his sister-in-law, Pat Clark of Franklin. He also leaves his devoted friend, Anne L. Jones and her daughter and son-in-law, Patsy and Lee Jones-Hubert, who were always there for him. Although no formal service will be held, it is asked that those who loved and cared for Tom to keep him in their thoughts and prayers. Many thanks to the caregivers and staff at Westport Nursing Center for taking such good care of him. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Richmond Alzheimer's Association , 4600 Cox Rd., Suite 130, Glen Allen, Va. 23060.

I am going out tomorrow morning and just fly for the fun of it! We are finishing a big day here in Alliance. I will be thinking of Tom as I let the ship just fly way up in the blue perhaps even touching the Face of God!!
Farewell old friend>

[gnflyn]

Re: Tom Pittman Gone West

I went out this morning for an early flight above the mist as well, looked at the VCTOC sticker on the door and though of him. I knew Tom in Virginia and was a member of the VCTOC. I still have membership sticker in my plane, even though its now in Florida. He will be missed, a great guy......