George Henry Pitlik, age 82, of Dunedin, Florida, and Alpine, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024. The cause of death was stage 4 lung cancer.
George was born on March 2, 1942, to Josephine Urso and George Pitlik in Chicago, Illinois. The eldest of two boys, he spent his childhood in the suburbs of Chicago, where his family lived close to extended family. Large family gatherings were prominent in George’s childhood, and his Italian and Czech heritage was acquired through his aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. It was during this time that George developed his zeal for adventure and learning as he freely explored the world through the eyes of a curious young boy.
Upon graduation from high school in 1959, George enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as an electronics mechanic until 1963. He trained specifically to work on the fire control systems weaponry of the B-52 bomber. During his service, he met Donna Lee Argenta, and they married on March 31, 1962. They resided in Enfield, Connecticut, where their family grew to include a son and two daughters. Upon discharge from the Air Force, George worked on jet engines at Pratt & Whitney while earning his undergraduate degree in education. He began a teaching career in Hartford, Connecticut, while remaining a committed father and husband throughout.
The family moved to Key West, Florida, in 1970, where George took a teaching job at Poinciana Elementary. George and Donna bought a 2-bedroom, 1-bath home several blocks from the ocean. For the next 10 years, the family enjoyed adventures including fishing, sailing, boating, exploring the mysteries of the ocean, organic gardening, self-sustainable living, bicycling the Florida Keys, and sharing life with other families that were on the same adventure in the Keys during the ‘70’s. George taught himself how to make hammocks using fishing nylon and made sure everyone knew that each one took over 1,500 knots. He used the public library as a primary source of research for learning how to navigate the ocean channels, the value of seaweed and fish scraps in the garden, and about edible plants (all of which inevitably ended up on the family dinner table). George brought all of these experiences into the classroom, making him a highly effective and creative teacher. He also found time to drive to Miami three times a week, sleeping in the back of his pickup, to earn his master’s degree in educational leadership. He discovered his happy place on that little island, and a piece of his soul will forever be connected to the Keys.
In 1980, he moved his family to The Woodlands, Texas, where he began the next chapter of his professional career as a teacher and supervisor with the Conroe Independent School District. George was an early adopter of instructional technology and served in a leadership position as a technology specialist. He procured computers for the district and educated teachers on how to use them. On one April Fools’ Day, George directed all administrators and principals to eliminate vowels from their email messages in order to save internet bandwidth (and many complied!). On another occasion, he took to wearing his garage door opener on his belt, his way of showing the absurdity of constant connectivity.
George married Janet Stewart, the love of his life, on October 5, 1996, in Big Bend National Park and was blessed with two bonus daughters. He retired in 2001 at age 59 after 34 years in education. Acting on their common love for Far West Texas, George and Janet moved to Alpine in 2006. George became a Texas Master Naturalist, a morning announcer for Marfa Public Radio in its early days, and an avid bicyclist. He took great pride in his backyard fruit tree orchard, and his humorous essay in the Big Bend Gazette on raising chickens earned him the moniker of “Chicken George.” For the next 27 years, he and Janet traveled the world on bicycling adventures, most notably, throughout the Yucatán Peninsula and the state of Michoacán in Mexico. They frequently visited Europe and more far-flung places such as China, Tanzania and Bali. Between trips, they visited their five children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren on what his family called “lightning visits.”
During the last decade of his life, George and Janet were seasonal residents of Cedar Creek Community in Dunedin, Florida. He loved having the tidal creek and a 100-acre nature preserve in his backyard. The Pinellas rails-to-trails bicycle path bordered the community, and George used his bicycle for transportation to his weekly drum circles, exercise classes, and ukulele group. He volunteered as a pilot for Joy Rides, a ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin providing rickshaw rides for seniors along the Pinellas Trail. It was around this time that
George adopted his signature bright yellow tennis shoes and sunglasses with a rearview mirror. George will be remembered for his witty charm, zeal for life and learning, exuberant family challenges, persistent encouragement of continuing education, neon colors, and vibrant character that was and is cherished by family and friends. He had the ability to make each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren feel like they were his favorite. He possessed excellent communication skills, he knitted hats, he made handmade hammocks, and he gave eccentric gifts (including the infamous 10,000 tongue depressors). He argued endlessly for living simply, to the point of being able to enjoy watching an ant’s shadow for long periods. George planted a seed in everyone he met — a lifelong lesson, a quirky habit, or a mantra — that will be a legacy that honors this great man. He was a true shining light to everyone who knew him.
George is preceded in death by his parents, George and Josephine, and his former wife, Donna. He is survived by his wife, Janet Stewart, of Alpine, Texas; son Kenneth and wife Michelle Pitlik of Crystal Beach, Texas; daughter Sheila White and husband Gerhard Lieber of Flagstaff, Arizona; daughter Melissa and husband Frank Tydlacka of Belton, Texas; stepdaughter Nell and husband David Fry of Austin, Texas; stepdaughter Greer and husband John Crowley of Houston, Texas; his brother Ken and wife Nancy Carlysle, of Dunedin, Florida; sister-in-law Claudia and husband Morton Lane of Chicago; sister-in-law Sally and husband Greg Wilson of Austin, Texas. George is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Brittany and husband Justin Mower of Houston, Texas; Tami and husband Jason Gómez of Belton, Texas; Jennifer Pitlik of Houston, Texas; Kevin and wife Brittany Tydlacka of Argyle, Texas; Kristi and husband Phillip Jennings of Belton, Texas; Thomas Tydlacka of League City, Texas; Heather White of Homer, Alaska; Connor and wife Ashley Pitlik of Dallas, Texas; Ryan White of Flagstaff, Arizona; and Joshua, Ephraim and Jack Fry of Austin, Texas. George also has eight great-grandchildren: Jaiden, Felix, and Nico Gómez, Jett and Judah Jennings, Willow and Thea Tydlacka, and Miles Vaught. He is also survived by numerous cousins, step-nieces and step- nephews.
Memorial services will be held at a future date. Donations to your chosen charity in George’s name will honor his memory.