Jesse James Pittman

Jesse J. Pittman, 93, of North Canton, OH passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, after a long and full life -- as a professional, as an active member of the community, and as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi in 1930 and lived as a farmer and mill foreman in Mississippi until entering the U.S. Army in 1952. He attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Riley, Kansas and Medical Service Corps Officer Basic Course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and then served in Korea with 7th Infantry Division from January 1954 to January 1955. Upon honorable discharge from active duty in 1955, he continued to serve as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve until April 1967.

While at Fort Sam Houston, he met his future wife, LT Ann Broad, who was training in the Army’s new Physical Therapy program. Ann subsequently served at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas. They were married upon Jesse’s return from Korea, and moved to Minneapolis where Jesse attended the University of Minnesota. He graduated in 1958 with a degree in economics; and they started their family with the birth of a daughter, Vicki.

They moved to North Canton, Ohio, where Jesse worked in finance and credit departments for the Hoover Company in North Canton, New York and Chicago for 35 years. Their son, Steve, was born in North Canton, and their daughter, Annette, was born in Chicago. While at the Hoover Company, Jesse was also active in the Hoover Recreation League and the formation of Hoover Federal Credit Union (now First Ohio FCU), for which he served as a Board member.

He was an active member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, which he and Ann helped to plant with several other families from North Canton, serving as an elder, treasurer, Sunday School superintendent and teacher, long-standing choir member, and served for several years as Scoutmaster for the Boy Scout Troop sponsored by the church.

Jesse loved golf. He and his wife were active golfers at Oakwood Country Club, and he volunteered for several decades at the Bridgestone World Championship Golf Tournament at Firestone Country Club as head marshal of hole one and then later in the media center; he was honored as Volunteer of the Year at Firestone in 1997. He also volunteered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame events for several decades on the hospitality committee. He was a Mason, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the American Legion.

Jesse loved singing his whole life, beginning with the Baptist church choir of his youth. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie of singing in the Hall of Fame Barbershop Chorus. Jesse loved gardening and had a green thumb which he exercised up until the end. He was an avid reader; enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and traveling; and visited family all over the country and globe.

Jesse was an engaged and fun PaPa to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and grandpuppies, all of whom adored him. He was the humble talent, the keen intellect, the faithful steward, the generous giver, the good Samaritan, the stoic sufferer, the patient presence, the wise counsel, the moral example, and the loving husband and father.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Ann B. Pittman; his daughter Vicki and son-in-law Bob Scruggs of Centreville, VA; son Steven B. and daughter-in-law Tricia Pittman of Glenwood Springs, CO; daughter Annette and son-in-law Joseph Weber of Arvada, CO; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church in North Canton on Friday, November 10 at 12:00pm, followed by burial at Sunset Hills Memory Garden at 2pm, and then a gathering at Oakwood Country Club to honor his memory. If you would like to make a donation in remembrance, please donate to Northminster Presbyterian Church, 237 W. Maple Street, North Canton, OH 44720, (330)499-4606.