Leonard Lee "Sut" Pittman

Leonard Lee “Sut” Pittman was born on February 9, 1939, at the home of his parents, Clyde Monroe Pittman and Ruth Stowe Pittman, in Everman, Texas. He was the youngest of the family and went unnamed for several weeks, simply known as “the baby.”

His brother Don eventually told their parents he had the perfect name: Sut Tattersall, a character from the Snuffy Smith comic strip. At the same time, Ruth’s dear friend Fay Walker suggested naming him Leonard after Leonard’s Department Store and Lee after Lee Walker’s Grocery Store, joking that Ruth spent so much time shopping at those places, she was bound to have him at one of them someday. And so, he officially became Leonard Lee, but to family and friends, he was always Sut.

Sut spent his childhood in Everman and attended all 12 years of school there, graduating in 1957. He remained close to his classmates throughout his life and faithfully attended reunions and get-togethers.

Sut met Carol Schultz when he was 15 and she was 14. Carol’s parents owned a motel along I-35. One day, while Sut was eating at a nearby café with a friend, they noticed the motel was on fire. The two ran over, knocked on doors, and alerted the guests and Carol’s parents. Their quick actions helped get everyone—and much of the furnishings—safely out of the building.

In the midst of the commotion, Sut noticed Carol sitting on the hood of a car watching the firefighters battle the blaze. When he walked over to her, they met for the first time. That meeting began a lifelong love story. They dated throughout high school, and their first official date was to church. They were married on October 4, 1958.

Sut cherished his life with Carol and never tired of telling people that he had married the prettiest girl in Everman. Together, they welcomed three daughters—Susan, Laura, and Lisa—and raised them in Everman, surrounded by much of the Pittman family.

After marrying, Sut worked at Lone Star Gas Company, Vandevort’s Dairy, and Gearheart Owen as a machinist. In 1970, he began his career with the Arlington Fire Department, a profession that became his passion. During his 30 years of service, he served as a firefighter, driver, lieutenant, and captain. He also served as a training officer at the Fire Academy and taught EMS classes. He retired in 2000.

Even after retirement, Sut remained deeply connected to the firefighting community. He loved visiting with his fellow firefighters and started a monthly breakfast for retired firefighters, an event he looked forward to every month.

Sut was a faithful member of the Church of Christ. He served as an elder at the Everman Church of Christ for nearly 30 years, alongside his father, Clyde, and brother, Don. After moving to Burleson in 2003, he placed membership at the Burleson Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon, taught and helped with Bible classes, assisted in maintaining the building and enjoyed serving others through the Thanksgiving food boxes for those in need.

Helping people was simply part of who Sut was. If someone needed a broken door repaired, a lawn mowed, or a helping hand, he was always there. He was passionate about mission work and especially loved seeing the Gospel shared around the world, with a particular interest in the work being done in Brazil.

Anyone who knew Sut knew he loved to tell stories—especially about growing up in Everman and his adventures as a firefighter. He never met a stranger. Wherever he went, he always found someone to talk to and quickly made a friend. Sut was also an avid reader, always eager to learn something new and share what he knew with others (or make you look something up and write a book report when you didn’t know).

Sut was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ruth Pittman; brothers Weldon Pittman and Don Pittman; sisters Vannie Ruth Pittman and Margarette “Cricket” Man; and son-in-law Ronnie Richardson.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Carol; daughters Susan Mahanay and Carter, Laura Nutt and Danny, and Lisa Richardson; grandchildren Amanda Pepper and Talin, Nicole Pilgrim and Cameron, Lindsey Vasek and Koby, Jason Nutt and Whitley, Kaylie Hooten and Brock, Tyler Richardson and Alyssa, and Jacob Richardson and Madison; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Sut lived a life filled with faith, family, service, friendship, and love. He had a story for everyone, a helping hand for anyone in need, and a way of making people feel like old friends. His greatest legacy will be the countless lives he touched through his family, his service, his willingness to always lend a hand, and most importantly his faith.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Above all, Sut’s greatest joy was his family. He treasured the 67 years he shared with Carol and was so proud of the life they built together. He loved his daughters, Susan, Laura, and Lisa, and loved his son in laws, Carter, Danny and Ronnie, as if they were his own and always took great pride in their families and accomplishments. His grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren brought him endless happiness, and he cherished every opportunity to spend time with them, share a story, or pass along something he had learned. His legacy is not only in the memories he leaves behind, but in the faith, kindness, generosity, and love he poured into each generation. Sut showed his family what it meant to love deeply, serve others, stay faithful, and always be willing to lend a helping hand. His stories may one day fade with time, but the lessons he taught, the lives he touched, and the love he gave will continue through his family for generations to come. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a faithful servant, and a friend to everyone he met. His greatest legacy is the family he loved so well and the example he leaves for them to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sut Pittman Memorial Mission Fund at Burleson Church of Christ.