JAMES DEAN “JIM” PITCOCK,
83, died on October 8, 2023, after a brief illness. He spent most of his professional career in the Arkansas television news industry and was honored in 2017 for lifetime achievement with an Emmy Award from the Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences. Jim credited the late Pat Porta of Fort Smith for his successful career after he hired him in 1957 to work at KFSA-TV in Fort Smith, Ark.
Born May 30, 1940, at St. Edwards Hospital in Fort Smith to Reeves and Leona Pitcock, he was the last surviving member of a family that included seven siblings: Emma Jean Sagely, Bill Pitcock, Bob Pitcock, Betsy Westphal, Donna Schroeder, and younger brother Jerry Pitcock. For 40 years the brothers all worked in the broadcasting industry. The siblings were especially proud of their great-grandfather, Deputy U.S. Marshal William Polk Pitcock, who rode with Dep. Marshal Bass Reeves in the Western United States for Federal District Judge Isaac C. Parker. Jim’s namesake, great uncle James A. “Jim” Pitcock, served as Superintendent of the Arkansas State Prison, and later retired as Chief of Police in Little Rock.
Jim’s professional career included working at KFSA radio and KFSA-TV in Fort Smith, KCCL radio in Paris, KAAY radio in Little Rock, and over 32 years in the newsroom at Little Rock’s KATV, Channel 7. During that time, he brought the world to Arkansas reporting from numerous political conventions, the Soviet Union, Romania, Vietnam, and 42 states. He traveled to every Arkansas county “at least three times” during his career reporting on the state’s news, politics, and people.
Later in life, Jim spent nearly 10 years working with Arkansas Attorney General, and United States Senator, Mark Pryor.
Jim is survived by his four children: Jeff (Lori) Pitcock, Chris (Andreae) Pitcock of Little Rock, Len (Kathleen) Pitcock of Hot Springs, and Sandy (Rob) McAuley of Little Rock. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Carter Pitcock, “Kapi” Pitcock, Bridgid (Donald) Chapman, Madison Pitcock, Rogers Polk Pitcock, Shelby (Jake) Martin and J.R. (Hannah) McAuley; and five great-grandchildren. He was “Big Jim” to his family and enjoyed spending countless hours at birthday parties, school events and holiday gatherings.
Jim was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
A memorial service will be held at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock on Thursday, October 12th at 10 a.m. with a reception following. A private graveside service will take place in Fort Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Bennie Westphal, Johnny Sagely, B.J. Sams, Paul Johnson, Ray Tucker, Tim Hamilton, Jim Casey, Randy Dixon, Norm Blasingame, and Pat Baldwin.
The family remains eternally grateful to the staff of UAMS and Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation for their unmatched level of care and service.
Memorials may be made to The David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History at the University of Arkansas or to the Jim Pitcock Scholarship Fund c/o The University of Arkansas School of Journalism and Strategic Media, 205 Kimpel Hall, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701.
Please share your memories of Jim at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.