Jack M. Pittman (Age 89)
October 26, 1921 -- August 25, 2011

Beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane after a short illness on Thursday, August 25, 2011. Jack was born on October 26, 1921 at Medical Lake, Washington to John and Louise Pittman. He lived his early life in the Medical Lake/Spangle area. The family moved to Elk where Jack graduated from Riverside High School in 1939. He briefly attended Eastern Washington College of Education and then enlisted in the Navy in 1940. He served in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. After the war he returned to Colfax, where his parents were living and went to work for Brown & Holter Chevrolet-Oldsmobile as a mechanic. He met Virginia (Ginny) Teal in 1946 and they were later married on March 21, 1948. Jack continued working for Brown & Holter until going to work for Colfax Ready Mix. In 1960 he took over the farming operation from his father-in-law, Alfred Teal Sr. He continued to farm for the next forty years in the Mockonema area. Whether he was steelhead fishing on the river or dropping a line at Pend O'Reille or Priest Lakes, Jack loved to fish. He also liked to golf. Jack was a constant presence at his grandchildren's games or activities and later when the great-grandchildren came along; he was there too. He loved farming and working the land. He was a member of the Colfax Elks and an avid supporter and member of the Whitman County Friends of the Library. Upon retirement, he and Ginny moved to Hill Ray Plaza in 2007. In April of 2011 they moved to an assisted living facility in Spokane, where Jack made his home at the time of his death. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Ginny, his parents, John and Louise; two sisters, Wilma and Wanita and a brother Forrest. He is survived by three sons and their wives: Terry (Susie) of Spokane, Scott (Rhonda) of Colfax, and Jeff (Tammy) of Pasco. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Shelby (Charly) Hennigar of Colfax, Tiffany Stanley of Spokane, Jeff Pittman of Colfax, Kara (Andrew) Powers of West Richland and John Pittman of Ferndale and five great-grandchildren: Trace, Trent and Lola Hennigar of Colfax; Kya Stanley of Spokane and Kaitlyn Powers of West Richland. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 2:00 pm at the Colfax United Methodist Church with the Reverend Lynn Nelson officiating. A light dessert reception will follow at the church. Private family committal will take place later. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Whitman County Friends of the Library in Colfax. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.