Obituary for Charles Pittman, Jr

Charles Lee Pittman, Jr

May 28, 1924 – October 16, 2017

Charles Lee Pittman Jr. was born near Shidler, Oklahoma on May 28, 1925 to Charles Lee Pittman and Virginia Frances Culpepper Pittman. He attended first through fourth grades at Bryan (Hill Top) School near Clubb Camp in northeast Kay County, before his parents moved to the Kaw City area and he began attending Kaw City schools, graduating in 1943.

After graduation, Charles married his childhood sweetheart Verdina Hill. Charles bought a large dump truck and began commuting to work each day on the Hulah Dam north of Tulsa until he purchased and operated the White Front Filling Station and Garage in Kaw City. Later he bought the Eagle Garage and Filling Station in Kaw City and also sold Dodge cars for the Fink-Pendleton Motor Company and was involved in the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Ponca City. In 1952, the Dodge Company recognized him for superior salesmanship and gave him an all-expense paid trip to Detroit where he was awarded a charter membership into the Dodge ”400” Club.

Charles, Verdina and their young son Dennis moved to Ponca City where he sold Cadillacs. Charles often said he loved getting up in the morning, going to work and selling automobiles. It didn’t seem like work. It was a joy for him. In a few years Charles’ dream of owning a car dealership came true when he purchased the Oldsmobile Dealership in Ponca City. His employees loved him and his customers became loyal after once buying a car from him.

Charles retired in 1988 to help care for Verdina who was battling cancer. They moved to Tulsa and lived there until her death in 1990.

In 1991, Charles married Annette Conklin Cline. They both grew up in Kaw City, where Charles was a classmate and friend of her deceased husband, Bob Cline. Charles and Annette made their home in Ponca City were they were members of the First United Methodist Church and the Noon Lion’s Club. Charles was a 32nd Degree Mason and received his 50-year pin in 1993. He loved to read about history, enjoyed working in the yard and traveling, and spent countless hours volunteering in the community. Charles especially liked to help with the Lake Ponca Festival of Angels during the holidays.

In 2014, the couple moved to the north Dallas area to live with Annette’s two daughters who helped care for Charles during his battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. His devoted wife, along with the support of family, nurses, caregivers and a Hospice staff, filled Charles’ last days with love and comfort.

Charles was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife Verdina, three brothers Van, Orval, and Kenneth, and two sisters Mary Jo Pittman and Jeraldine Miller.

He is survived by Annette, his wife of the home, his son Dennis, two step-daughters, Susan Cline Rutledge (and Grant) and Karen Cline Leonard; nine grandchildren, Kerry Chapman (and Kent), Travis Pittman (and Jackie), Gwendolyn Ray (and Marcus), Shawn Jackson (and John), Shannon Goff (and Michael), Stacy Leonard, Becky Yanez (and Aaron), Bodie Leonard (and Stephanie), and Drew Rutledge (and Grace); twenty great-grandchildren, Claire Jarman (and Jake), Meredith Chapman, Caleb Ray, Isaac Ainsworth, Madelyn Ray, Elizabeth Ainsworth, Saber Ray, Nico Ray, Micah Ray, Jayden Leonard, Liam Rutledge, Ariel Leonard, Luke Goff, Levi Goff, Eli Rutledge, Ames Leonard, Asher Leonard, Graycen Pittman, Legend Goff and Layne Pittman. He is also survived by two sisters, Jewell Dewsnup and Mildred Stafford (and Jay), along with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday at Grace Memorial Chapel in Ponca City from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. The family will receive guests from 7-8 pm. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 20th at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Burial will be at the Resthaven-Sunset Memorial Park in Ponca City. Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 South 6th, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to Kaw City Museum, PO Box 56, Kaw City, Oklahoma 74641.