Retired Major Robert David Pitts passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on January 19, 2025.

David was born and raised in Barnesville, Georgia, the second of six children born to Robert and Inez Pitts. From a young age, he exhibited a strong sense of discipline and determination, qualities that would serve him well throughout his life. He attended Gordon Military School in Barnesville before joining the military in 1953, first in the Army Reserve and later transitioning to the United States Marine Corps.

While his service to his country was a defining part of his life, David was much more than a Marine, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. In 1955, he met Ann Price, the woman who would become his lifelong partner and best friend. Ann, from the neighboring town of Thomaston, Georgia, was immediately drawn to the tall, blue-eyed, blond-haired Marine. She saw a man with a deep sense of purpose and potential for adventure. As an added bonus she saw those PFC stripes as her ticket out of her small town. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and exploration. Their journey took them across the country, moving from base to base, but no matter where they were, home was always where they were together. They raised four daughters - Cindy, Elisa, Sherry, and Gina - instilling in them the same values of strength, integrity, and resilience that defined David himself.

To his family, he was their rock, their guiding force. He was the dad who could fix anything, the husband Ann could travel the world with, and the grandfather whose life inspired them. His grandchildren adored him, looking up to him for the kindness, wisdom, and warmth he exuded. Whether he was sharing lessons from his years of service, teaching them the importance of hard work and loyalty, or simply making them laugh with his quick wit and stories, he left a mark on their lives.

On the home-front to Ann and his four daughters he was a hero. But he was also one of the brave willing to lay his life down for his countrymen. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and earned several distinguished medals for his service during his military career. One of his most remarkable acts of bravery earned him the recommendation for a Bronze Star. On October 7, 1965, an F-4B Phantom II jet was involved in a flash fire while loaded with Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles which were subjected to enough heat to fire the missiles. With complete disregard for his own safety, then-Second Lieutenant Pitts volunteered to offload the missiles, knowing full well the imminent danger. The influence fuses on the Sidewinder missiles had melted, the Sparrow missile warheads were smoking, and the smoldering safety pins had to be extinguished by hand. Second Lieutenant Pitts, with complete disregard for his personal safety, quickly went under the smoking aircraft and removed the hot missiles preventing what could have been a catastrophic explosion.

David was a Marine's Marine who was fiercely loyal to the country he so proudly served. But he was also a devoted family man, a storyteller, a mentor, and a source of unwavering support to those who knew him. His life was not just measured by his heroic deeds in uniform but by the love he gave, the wisdom he shared, and the family he cherished above all else.

David retired from the Marine Corp in 1977 at the rank of Major but the discipline and patriotism he learned from the Marines never left him. Following his retirement from the Marine Corp he and Ann settled down in San Diego. David began a second career by starting and building Beacon Funding, a successful mortgage brokerage. Throughout it all they continued their love of travel by taking many vacations flying and cruising all over the world.

As much as David loved his family and his country, he also had a passion for golf. This passion for the game carried him through winning his fair share of tournaments and playing 18 holes from San Diego to the emerald fairways of Scotland. He could often be found in his workshop working on his golf clubs and equipment. Even in the midst of his arduous battle with cancer, his love for the game never diminished.

He is survived by his wife Ann, his four daughters, four grandchildren, five great grandchildren and his fur babies Lana and Penny. His legacy of bravery, integrity, and devotion to both country and family will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.