Jurant Duff "Duff" Pitcock

Jurant Duff "Duff" Pitcock, 84, died December 6, 2009 at his home in Graham. A military graveside service will be held Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Pioneer Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Jay Darnell and Dr. Richard Reed, pastor officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home in Graham.

Duff was born October 16, 1925 in Fort Worth, Texas to the late Louis and Medora (Shepherd) Pitcock. Duff began school in Ranger, Texas and moved with his family to Graham in June 1939. He graduated from Graham High School in 1943, and attended Texas A & M "Class of 1947" before being inducted into the United States Army.

J. Duff Pitcock served during World War II in the 89th Infantry Division Signal Corp that joined up with the 3rd Army Division commanded by General George S. Patton to spearhead the Allied drive into Germany. After arriving at the Rhine and while building a pontoon bridge river crossing, the 89th came under heavy fire from German forces. In spite of heavy casualties, they fought to achieve their objective. Once they crossed the Rhine River, the division pushed on only to the shocking discovery of a series of concentration camps where so many Jews were exterminated.

Upon honorable discharge, Duff enrolled at Texas A & M. He married Bobby Ruth Crawford, December 30, 1947 in Graham. He and Bobby Ruth lived at College Station until he graduated in June 1949. While at College Station many of his former Aggie buddies returned to finish their education. They bonded and for over sixty years have remained close friends, meeting several times a year -- Aggie ballgames, excursions to the Big Bend Pitcock Rosillos Ranch, fishing at Possum Kingdom and ocean cruises.

On graduating from Texas A & M, Duff and Bobby returned to Graham and joined Duff's brothers, Roy and Louis, Jr. in the Pitcock Brothers Ready Mix Concrete business. The first ready mix concrete company in the area. He was a member of the Texas Aggregate & Concrete Association and served on that board for several years and a term as president. In 1967, Pitcock, Inc. was chartered with Louis Pitcock, Sr., Louis Pitcock, Jr., J. Duff Pitcock and Roy T. Pitcock, Duff served as Vice President of Pitcock, Inc., an oil & gas producing, development and ranching company.

In Graham he was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the High Questor Sunday School Class, serving on numerous committees, including the Board of Trustees, Building Committee and Finance Committee. He was a former Director of the First National Bank, the Chamber of Commerce, and Graham Industrial Association. He was a member and served as President of if the Graham Country Club. He enjoyed his membership and related activities of the Cactus Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force, where he served as Commander. Both he and Bobby were active in the West Texas Wing of the C.A. F. serving in various capacities.

Two sons survive Mr. Pitcock: Jurant Duff (Randy) Pitcock, Jr., and wife Jan, of Cleburne, and Bob C. Pitcock, and wife. Sherry, of Graham, four grandchildren: Christi Pitcock, of Fort Worth, John E. and wife Andrea of Weatherford, Laura Pitcock Brown and husband Geren, of Dallas, and Robert C. Pitcock of Graham; and a great-grandson Ashton Pitcock of Weatherford; two brothers, Louis Pitcock, Jr., and wife Mary, and Roy T. Pitcock, and wife Jackie, of Graham; devoted cousins, nieces and nephews, plus a host of special friends in Graham and throughout Texas and the world.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. The family expresses deep appreciation to Graham Regional Hospice for their assistance and for the loving devotion and attention from the loyal caregivers.