James Vaughn Pitney |
| Posted 2008-06-30 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, November 15, 2007 James Vaughn Pitney (69) died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, at his home in Prescott, Ariz. after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born Sept. 22, 1938, at home near Higby, Mo., in Howard County, to Leonard H. Pitney and Nettie Golden (White). His older sister Virginia Rawlings of Fulton, Mo., fondly recalls his birth and giving him his first bath. She was 18 at the time and claims he stole her heart from that moment on. Vaughn grew up the youngest of five children on the family farm and after graduating from Fayette High School in 1956, he attended Hannibal - La Grange College. A year after his parent's move to Sunnyslope, Ariz., he decided to follow, and enrolled at Arizona State University. In April of 1960 he married Lenell Hannah. They were married 28 years. They had their first child, Benjamin after moving to Prescott in 1961, followed by the birth of Phillip in 1964 and daughter Eydie in 1970. In 1987, he married Barbara Ollerman. They were married seven years. They had one son, James Nathan in 1988, who now resides in Arizona. In July of 1962, Vaughn was appointed as a State Farm Insurance Agent here in Prescott where he maintained a successful agency until his retirement in August 2005. During the 43 years of his career, he was awarded the "Golden Triangle," the highest distinction an agent can receive, as well as many other national awards of merit. He was always a great salesman, very charming and liked by nearly everyone he met. He considered his office staff, family and his policyholders, friends. In 1997, Vaughn married the love of his life, Deborah Mitchell. Vaughn and Debi were kindred spirits, and moved to Chino where Vaughn enjoyed getting back to his farming roots. He spent many afternoons on his tractor or in the barn or shed, enjoying his rural life. Vaughn and Debi own Deja vu Antiques in downtown Prescott. They moved from Chino Valley to their home in Prescott in 2004. Vaughn has always loved the outdoors and hunting was one of his favorite pastimes. He's passed this love on to his three sons, whom he enjoyed hunting with most of all. Many of his long time friendships have been cultivated through hunting and gun trading. Very few people knew his other lifelong interest was singing. He enjoyed performing in church as a young man and for fun most recently with some business associates in a Barber Shop Quartet. He also sang in and directed several choirs in his younger days. He was a believer in Jesus Christ and regularly attended church, most recently with wife Debi at the Humboldt Bible Church. Vaughn loved every kind of hunting, antiques, boots, cowboy hats and western attire. He loved playing golf, driving new cars and going to garage sales and swap meets. He could never pass up good Mexican food, homemade ice cream or a good deal! He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Deborah Pitney; siblings Virginia Rawlings, of Fulton, Mo., William Pitney of Salida, Colo.; Dale Pitney of Prescott, Ariz. and Gerald Pitney of Rockford, Ill.; children, Benjamin (Linda) Pitney, Phillip (Savana) Pitney, Eydie (Blake) Okland, Nathan Pitney and stepson Robert Mitchell of Salt Lake City, Utah. He also has eight grandchildren, Kambria and Mitchell Pitney, Brielle and Calvin Pitney and Abigail, Audrey and Noelle Okland; and one grandson to meet in heaven, Graham Henderson Okland. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, at Hampton Funeral Home, 240 S. Cortez St., Prescott, Ariz. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, 2007, at the Humboldt Bible Church, 2S500 S. Old Black Canyon Highway, Humboldt, Ariz. Interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery, Prescott, Ariz. for family only. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Vail Christian Church, 8000 S. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85706, the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, 0K. 73123-1718 or Humboldt Bible Church, 2500 S. Old Black Canyon Highway, Humboldt, AZ 86329. Services entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors. See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Project |
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