Tommy “Pittman” Barfield, 85, of Tifton passed away Thursday, November 17, 2016, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2016, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church, with Dr. Wayne Roe and the Rev. Paul Thomas officiating. Mr. Barfield will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, November 19, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church.
Phil Barfield, Brannen Cummings, Trippe Barfield, Pate Kincaid, Mickey Watson and Greg Barfield will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Tifton’s First Baptist Church Department III Sunday School and special friends, Ben and Linda Flournoy, Hugh and Linda Chandler and John and Jean Weaver.
Born January, 25, 1931 in Tifton, Mr. Barfield was the son of the late Minnie Aultman Barfield and Jesse Clarence Barfield. "Pittman", as he was known, was the second of four children. Brothers, Jesse Barfield, Jr., deceased, and Billy Barfield of Adel; and sister, Bobbie Gilmore of Bishop.
He married Frances Waldrop on July 16, 1950 and, together, had two children, Deborah (Gary) Kincaid of Tifton and Tommy Pittman Barfield, Jr., "Butch” of Baxley.
Pittman graduated from Tift County High School with Honors in 1948. After completing accounting courses from the International Correspondence School, he started working as a draftsman for the Georgia Highway Department in Tifton. Leaving the highway department, he joined his brother, Jesse, at Tri-County Gas Company. After his brother’s death, Pittman became President and served as CEO for the company for 20 years.
Though an active businessman, he was also very involved in the local community. He spent many years as the assistant treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce and was also a Paul Harris Fellow of Tifton’s Rotary Club. Pittman also served 24 years as a director of First Community Bank, having being elected to the board in January 1975. In the same year, he was also President of the State of Georgia LP Gas Association. He was very supportive of the farming industry and was granted a lifetime membership with the Georgia Young Farmers Association. He was a member of New River Baptist Church and, currently, First Baptist Church of Tifton.
After his retirement in 1991, Pittman still remained active in roles with the community. In addition, he was able to devote his love of gardening and landscaping with his wife, Frances. He particularly enjoyed growing hostas and day-lilies and took pride in keeping an immaculate yard. Also, in his retirement, he spent his time with his children and their growing families, whom now survive him.
Pittman is survived by his wife, Frances Waldrop Barfield of Tifton; his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Gary Kincaid of Tifton; his son, Tommy Pittman “Butch” Barfield, Jr. of Baxley; his grandchildren and their spouses, Pate and Rebecca Kincaid of Greenville, South Carolina, Kristyn and Brannen Cummings of Atlanta, Holly Kincaid of Savannah, Tommy Pittman “Trippe” III and Ashley Barfield of Eatonton and Sidni and Jeremy Mikulecky of Lexington, South Carolina; his seven great-grandchildren; his brother, Billy Barfield of Adel; and his sister, Bobbie Gilmore of Bishop.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tift Area, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793; or the charity of your choice.