PITTMAN

John David Pittman Sr., 88, passed away Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 at his residence in Bogalusa.

He was a member of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church and a past member of the Zona Masonic Lodge and Center Lodge. He also served his country during WWII as a medic in the U.S. Army, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart serving under General George Patton. He was also selected as a personal bodyguard for General Dwight David Eisenhower.

He is survived by his sons, John David (Sherry) Pittman Jr. and Thomas Densil (Vicki) Pittman, both of Bogalusa; daughters, Sylvia Joyce Pittman Sewell of Panama City, Fla., Sherion Pittman (John Wayne) Busby of Bogalusa and Martha Ann Pittman (Donald) Ledbetter of Bogalusa; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Opal Sheridan Pittman; parents, John M. and Martha C. Pittman; sisters, Bernice Foster, Lenell Thomas and Marion Maxson; and grandsons, Shannon Wayne Busby and John Ernest Busby.

Visitation was held Monday, Jan. 7 at Brown-McGehee Funeral Home from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. and continued on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time for funeral services in the funeral home chapel at 11 a.m., with Rev. Pete Underwood, Rev. Everett Ledbetter and Rev. Tommy Pittman Jr. officiating. Burial followed in Emmanuel Baptist Church Cemetery with military rites conducted by Magic City Post 24 of the American Legion.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.brownmcgehee.com.