Hershel Pittman's Obituary
Hershel Pittman, 92, of Rogers, Arkansas, passed from this earthly life on March 28, 2026, in Rogers, Arkansas, following a long and fruitful life. He was born on January 13, 1934, at home near Amity, Arkansas, to Toliver and Cornie Pittman.
Hershel is survived by his lifelong companion and wife, Velta Modene Smith Pittman; his daughters, Teresa Pittman, Cindy Bazan, and Trish Howard; his son, Kirk Pittman; his siblings, his nine grandchildren along with 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Toliver and Cornie Pittman, brothers Billy and Ernest Pittman, and his sister Elizabeth Boyd.
He was a devoted Husband and Father. He was a fearless protector of Mom. The one way you could make him mad was to upset Mom. They just celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary this last Thursday March 26. What a legacy and example rarely met in today’s world.
Enlisting in the Airforce at a young age, Dad was able to travel beyond his expectations. Especially when he was sent to Tuli Greenland. This gave him the travel bug which we kids benefited from. He learned fly and got valuable mechanical skills.
He built a fence business with ambition and determination. Sometimes delivering bulk newspapers at night after working all day. He made it a success then walked away from it when his dad fell ill, and he believed his children were at risk with Little Rock busing.
He, with his own 2 hands, built our family home. And with Kirks help, he built Pittman’s Grocery. Both impressive construction feats.
Hershel devoted more than 30 years to the grocery business and we kids all worked in it. He believed we needed to understand responsibility — to be at work when our friends were out playing or getting into trouble. He made sure his daughter could change a flat, handle a toolbox, and take care of herself.
He also made sure to create family fun. With planes, ski boats, family trips, and those famous Sunday drives. Dad always said, “I can save and give you money, but someone can take it from you. They can’t take memories.”
He told us we could achieve anything we set our minds to and even made us listen to motivational tapes as kids. Mom was what the bible describes as agape love; completely unconditional. Someone had to keep us on the straight and narrow, so Dad played the role of disciplinarian. Our greatest fear was getting “the talk”. Where he would explain what we did wrong and what the consequences would be. It must have worked as no one is in prison.
Burial took place Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 1:30 PM at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Services held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 4:00 PM at Fayetteville Christian, 2006 E. Mission Blvd, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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