Roderic Pittman

Pittman,

Roderic

Tucson, Arizona

Roderic Pittman, 3rd son of the late Phillip and Arlena (Terry) Pittman, Sr. was born September 23, 1954, in Muskegon, Michigan. "Rod" went home to be with the Lord, on January 16, 2025. Rod lived life to the fullest and on his terms!

Rod accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age, baptized at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church by the late Rev. Clayborn C. Casey. Rod never wavered from his faith in God, and remained an active member of The Church of God International in Arizona. He was intentional in making regular time to study the Word of God.

We should all be comforted in the assurance that Rod rests in the presence of the Lord.

A very proud "Tiger for Life", Rod was a member of the Muskegon Heights High School Class of 1972. He was an active student, participating in many activities including football & band. Most notably he was a founding member and the 1st President of the MHHS Black Educational Movement (BEM). His studies continued at HBCU, Wilberforce University in Ohio and the Mountain State Technical Institute of Arizona. Rod was always an intellectual and critical thinker and conversant in a myriad of subjects. He further sharpened his skills as an eloquent speaker by virtue of his membership in Toastmasters International and the Spokesman Club of his church.

Shortly after high school Rod married his high school sweetheart, Toni [Donley] Johnson, their union having produced a loving son, Roderic D. Pittman and granddaughter, Kiara Pittman.

Rod was so very proud of his son as an excellent student, a tireless worker, and an enthusiastic, compassionate young man of steadfast determination.

No one, however, made Rod's eye twinkle more than his granddaughter Kiara. Kiara is beautiful, talented and smart; she has accomplished so much in her young life and Rod would let you know what was going on with her before you could ask.

Rod's pastimes involved sports, and music. He was an avid sports fan, and the Lord blessed him to live long enough to see his beloved Detroit Lions finally be good!

Music, and particularly jazz, was his passion. He excelled as a percussionist and performed professionally in numerous venues around the State of Michigan as a young man. He later spent time in studios helping other musicians make recordings.

Rod's work career started as one of the four (Phil Jr., Verne, Rod, & Greg) original employees at Pittman's Grocery. There he acquired the skills to manage and operate a neighborhood corner grocery store as a teenager. He also worked for a short time a Campbell, Wyatt and Cannon.

Rod served four years in the US Air Force and chose, after his honorable discharge, to remain in Arizona, where the weather is not quite as cold as Michigan.

After his time in the military, he was employed at Sperry Univac as a software programmer. He was later employed by the Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC) as a Computer Programming Manager. At the DOC he wrote and managed the development of the software for the Inmate Banking Program, which is still in use. He then went on to become an independent Software Consultant. His expertise was in demand across several states to support the Year 2000 (Y2K) transition for computer systems.

Rod will be missed by all who enjoyed his formidable personality, his wit, his intellect, his generosity, his uniqueness, and, of course, his singular point of view (Facebook will never be the same!)

Rod was preceded in death by his father Phillip Pittman Sr., mother Arlena Pittman and mother-in-law Laura Thornton.

Rod leaves to celebrate his life presence, Son Roderic D. Pittman; Granddaughter Kiara Pittman; Former Spouse and Forever Friend Toni (Victor) Johnson; Brothers Phillip Jr. (Carolyn) Pittman, Edward (Mary) Pittman, and Gregory (Kay) Pittman; Nieces Tiffani and Cherish Pittman; Grand-niece Ari Lina Pittman; Nephews Phillip III, Jason, Edward J. (Racheal) & Jared Pittman; many beloved cousins, wonderful extended family and countless dear friends.