Obituary - Gregory Dean Pittman

Gregory Dean Pittman, 73, was called home to the Lord on Tuesday, August 16. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, succumbing to complications of ongoing respiratory and coronary health issues. Dean was pastor of Greenwood United Methodist Church – and subsequently the Greenwood/Laurel Park UMC Charge – until he retired in 2012.

Preceded in death by his parents Albert Franklin Pittman and Emma Lou Pittman and his sister Betty Pittman Malbone, Dean is survived by Janet, his wife of 52 years, his son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren, niece, Kim Rhodes, nephew Kevin Malbone and “surrogate” grandchildren Allison and Samantha Smith, brother in law Richard Blair (Mary K), nephew, Brian Blair, nieces, Rachel Soroka (Peter) and Rebecca Watcher, and a host of cousins.

Dean’s career followed several paths until – as a devout Christian – he was called to the ministry in 1999. He served as pastor at Dunn’s Chapel UMC and associate pastor at Discovery UMC before assuming the pulpit at Greenwood in 2002. Dean was an avid athlete, playing basketball at Hermitage high school, class of 1967, and earning an athletic scholarship to the University of Richmond. Financial considerations caused him to leave UR and enlist in the United States Air Force serving the United States during the Vietnam era.

After serving his country, Dean engaged in many athletic endeavors as a player, coach and official. Most recently, Dean was active in several local amateur softball leagues and led teams from Greenwood to numerous local playoff appearances.

Dean was also active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a Cub Master and Scout Master, earning the BSA Cardinal District Award of Merit. He was also a member of Masonic Metropolitan Lodge Number11 in Glen Allen.

Dean Pittman was a loving Christian husband, father, uncle and friend who is sorely missed by all.