Gell "Skip" Pittman

GELL LEE “SKIP” PITTMAN JR., 64, went to his Lord on May 20, 2009 at Regional West Medical Center after a long struggle with COPD. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 11am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Torrington, Wyoming, with Bishop Nelson officiating. Interment will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. The Women’s Relief Society will provide a luncheon for family and friends at the church following interment. Memorials may be made to the Torrington Little League or the Boy Scouts. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com. Skip was born January 20, 1945 in Sturgis, South Dakota to Gell Lee Pittman, Sr. and Thelma Elizabeth Katherine Hanken. He graduated from Torrington High School in 1963. During and after his high school years he worked with his uncle, “Mike” Pittman on his farms in the Huntley Wyoming area. He also helped complete several masonry projects in the valley as a young man while working with his father, and his uncle Mike. Skip served a short term in the Navy before being discharged due to a broken eardrum. He was united in marriage to Willa Lou Hansen on August 3, 1968 in Torrington. They later moved to Pickrell, Nebraska where he worked as a drywaller before returning to the Wyo-Braska area in 1976. Shortly after moving back to the area he began his own construction business, specializing in masonry. He will be long remembered for the quality, consistency, and creativity of his building projects both big and small. Many of the banks, stores, restaurants, churches, parks, and homes in Torrington and the surrounding area are proud displays of his life’s work as a mason and contractor. Skip was a devoted father, brother, husband, and friend who loved nothing more than the time spent with wife and kids, whether it was coaching their sports teams, helping them pursue their interests, or teaching them the many skills he had learned over the years. He volunteered with community for many years as a Little League coach and Boy Scout troop leader. Skip was known for his kindness, forgiveness, and generosity. He saw the best in people and always gave others the benefit of the doubt. His gentleness and unconditional love nurtured the growth of his four children into responsible, successful adults. He and Willa extended their compassion to others outside their family, often caring and providing for others in need by offering them a room, food, and a safe place to sort things out. His example of love and kindness touched many lives and will continue to guide and inspire many for years to come. He is survived by his ex-wife Willa Pittman Mandziuk of Westminster, Colorado, daughter Dione DeSchenne and husband Gamelyn Dykstra, grandsons Kraighton, Paeten, and Leif all of Quilcene, Washington; son Tiger Pittman and his wife Jennifer, grandchildren Jessica, Cody, Brooke, and Marissa and great grand daughter Mia all of San Diego, California; son Mike Pittman and wife Cheryln, grandchildren Leah, Luke, Kira, and Colin all of Sandy, Utah; daughter Toni Pittman and husband Ken Chapman, grandsons Elliot, Kevin, Brodi, and Michael all of Huntley, Wyoming; sister Marilyn Pittman of Papillion, Nebraska; brother Gary and wife Roni Pittman of Torrington, Wyoming; sister Gail Dotson of North Platte, Nebraska; sister Sharon and husband Rusty Williams of Kingman, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews and “adopted” children as well as his beloved dog Windy. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Gloria Pittman.