Jerry Don Pittman
August 6, 1952 – August 28, 2026
Jerry Don Pittman, 74, of Holiday Island, died at home in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026 of a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by family and friends.
Jerry was born on August 6, 1952, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the son of Donald Pittman and Helen Burnette. He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1970 and the University of Arkansas-Little Rock in 1974 and was a life-long fan of the Razorbacks. He married Sallie Ruth Hale of Blytheville, Arkansas on August 24, 1974.
Jerry was a resident of Holiday Island, AR for over 8 years. Before his recent illness, he was a very active and well-respected member of the community. He was elected to be one of the first city councilman of Holiday Island in 2020, was president of the Holiday Island Rotary Club from 2022-23 and was an active member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 1042 and the Holiday Island Presbyterian Church.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his widow, Sallie; daughter, Elizabeth Grace Pittman of Golden, Colorado; a sister, Dianne Arnold, of Hot Springs; nephews, John Henry Arnold and J. R. (Melissa) Arnold, both of Texarkana, AR; three great-nephews and one great-niece.
Jerry had a lengthy and highly successful career in journalism and newspaper publishing. He began working at the Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs throughout college. After graduating from UA-Little Rock, he became the sports and night editor at the News-Times in El Dorado, AR. In 1977, he moved to Monroe, Louisiana as the news editor of the News-Star and by 1987 had become the executive editor. Jerry’s next career move was to Shreveport, Louisiana where he was the deputy managing editor of the Times from 1987 – 1992. In 1992, he moved his family to Oklahoma where he was the editor of the News & Eagle, in Enid, and publisher of the Times in Altus, OK.
In 1989, while at the Times in Shreveport, LA, the newspaper was among four nationally recognized papers named as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in public service journalism. Under Jerry’s direction, the Times staff published a package of stories, photos and graphics each week that culminated with the passage of a massive educational reform act called “The Children First Act.” Jerry, as deputy managing editor, was credited for directing and editing the year-long project. He will be fondly remembered by his friends, colleagues and family for his intellect, leadership, community service and his great humor and wit.
Nelson Funeral Home is caring for Jerry and his family. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Holiday Island Presbyterian Church. Memorial funds will be established to benefit Grandma’s House in Berryville, AR and Flint Street food pantry in Eureka Springs, AR.