John Ed Pittard, Jr.

OXFORD: John Edward Pittard, Jr. died peacefully Friday, October 2, 2009 in Oxford after a long illness. He was born January 8, 1925 in Oxford. He was the son of the late John E. Pittard and Allie W. Pittard. He was a lifelong resident of Oxford and was a faithful and devoted member and deacon of Oxford Baptist Church, a member of Oxford Masonic Lodge #122 A. F. and A. M., Oxford York Rite Bodies, Sudan Shrine Temple of New Bern, NC and a member of Granville Co. Shrine Club. He offered his gifts to friends and community in many ways. He was a veteran of WWII and served with honor in the European theater as a forward scout and observer. Upon his discharge from the army, he returned to his interrupted college life only to be called home to Oxford to take charge of his family business, Chapman Lumber Company, when his father died unexpectedly. After 20 years in the business in Oxford, he closed Chapman Lumber Company and opened Central Carolina Builders in Durham where he stayed until retiring in 2000. John was preceded ineeath by his wife Heilig Harney, from Edenton, NC and married in 1956 and made their home in Oxford. Surviving are two sons, John Edward Pittard, III and wife Debra C. and Thomas H. Pittard and wife Holly C. both of Oxford; one sister, Wilma Pittard Searles of San Mateo, Calif.; five grandchildren, Gracen, Catherine, Thomas, Mills and Peyton whom he loved mightily. His strength, honor and devotion will be missed by all those who knew him. Funeral services will be held on Monday October 5, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the Oxford Baptist Church by the Dr. J. Steven Bolton. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Mr. Pittard's home, 133 Military St., Sunday evening from 6:30 PM. until 8:00 PM. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Oxford Baptist Church, P. O. Box 398 Oxford, NC 27565. Arrangements are under the care of Gentry-neell & Vaughan Funeral Home. Online memorials www.gnvfh.com select obituaries.