Jerry E. Pittman, Jr

Bartow- Gerald “Jerry” Pittman, Jr., age 58, passed away October 4, 2021 at his home in Bartow, FL. Jerry was a devoted and faithful husband to Jill Gibbs Pittman for 32 years; a wonderful attentive father to their children, Tanner and Callie Jo; a beloved brother, uncle, son-in-law, brother-in-law and cousin that will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was born June 20, 1963 in Wauchula, FL to the late Gerald E. Pittman, Sr. and Shirley Miller Pittman. Jerry was a lifelong resident of Bartow, FL having resided here from the age of just an infant until his passing. He was a 1981 graduate of Bartow Senior High School. Jerry was an ASE certified mechanic for the Polk County School Board and worked there for 34 years; he was known and respected for his conscientious work ethic, attention to detail in all that he put his hand to and for his honesty in both word and deed. Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing in both fresh water and salt water; he dearly loved hunting and being in the woods whether it was for gun, bow or muzzle loading season as he hunted deer and turkey and had several mounted trophies of his bounty from years spent hunting. During his many hunting trips, it was not unusual for Jerry to quietly and patiently sit in a tree stand for hours and be perfectly content. While Jerry found peace in the quiet solitude of spending time alone in the splendor of God’s grand creation of nature at the various hunting and fishing locations he frequented, it was having his family enjoy those places with him that often brought him the greatest joy; he left with them many cherished memories and stories of their trips together throughout the years. His secret hunting ‘sweet spots’ and ‘honey hole’ fishing locations are among the things he prized and was happy to share with only his son, family and just one or two of his most trusted friends. A voracious reader of Florida history, he was quite the expert on the state of Florida and its history and was happy to share his vast knowledge of it with anyone who was interested in learning about it. Among his favorite things to do on vacations and weekends was spending time visiting the many parks, preserves and places of historical significance to this state he so loved. Jerry was a man of great integrity who found his happiness in the simplest of life’s pleasures. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Pittman Tucker, and his stepfather, Jack Frymire. He is survived by a loving family that includes his wife, Jill Pittman; a son, Tanner Pittman; daughter, Callie Jo Pittman; a sister, Teresa Pittman Wilson (Rick); mother-in-law Freida Whaley (Mike) and father-in-law M.C. “Bud” Gibbs, Jr.; sister-in-law Shanna Gibbs Calandros (John) and brother-in-law, Sam Gibbs (Linda) and his many loved nieces and nephews, Jessica Tucker Hicks (Joel), Travis Wilson, Sara Tucker Cooper (Matt), Kathy Tucker Desrosiers (Scott); Lori Ann Wilson; Hayley Rhoden (Brandon); Suzanna Calandros, John Calandros and three great nephews and two great nieces. Family will receive friends on Monday, October 11, 2021 from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Memorial service will immediately follow at 3:00 PM at the funeral home. Condolences to the family at www.WhidenMcLeanfuneralhome.com