Joseph Allen Pitner, Sr., longtime owner of Economy Pen & Pencil, Shelbyville, Tenn., passed away on Jan. 18, at age 74. He and his wife, Gaynelle, have owned the company for 40 years, which was founded by her father, Joe Brown, in 1946. Pitner remained active in the company, although he had turned over the day-to-day operations to his two sons, Allen and David.
“[Joseph] was loyal to his beliefs, his family and friends,” said Mark Farrar, executive director of the Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South. “The way in which he lived his life is a testament to his integrity and an example for others to follow. He earned the respect of his employees, the promotional products industry, his friends and family, and an entire community.”
Pitner was born on March 8, 1932, in Alamo, Tenn., to Dixie Vaden Pitner, of Dyersburg, Tenn., and the late Jess Ray Pitner. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp and served in the Korean War. In addition to his mother, Pitner is survived by his wife of 48 years, Gaynelle Brown Pitner of Shelbyville; two sons, Joseph Allen Pitner, Jr. and David Ray Pitner, both of Shelbyville; a sister, Lyda Zick of Columbus, Ohio; and three grandchildren, Michael Scott Pitner, Martha Amelia Pitner and David Garner Pitner.
For more information, call (800) 251-3044
or visit www.jo-bee.com.
Joseph Allen Pitner, Sr., longtime owner of Economy Pen & Pencil,
passed away at age 74.
