David McDonald (Donald) Pittman died December 3, 2002 at his home. He was born in Columbia County on November 25, 1924 and was reared in a Christian home by parents Lurline Bennett and Archie Allen Pittman. He attended Magnolia Public Schools graduating in 1942. He volunteered for the U.S. Army at the age of 18, serving 3 1/2 years in World War II in the South Atlantic Theater. He attended Southern State College on the G.I. Bill where he met Mickey Horne, and they married in 1948. They have three children: Donna S. Pittman-King, David Allen Pittman, and Dixie Dawn Pittman. As a horticulturist, his endeavors resulted in the largest horticultural nursery in Arkansas. He served as president of the Arkansas Nurserymen?EUR??,,????'???s Association for two terms. He was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Arkansas State Plant Board representing the Nurserymen of Arkansas for six terms. During his tenure he established the Arkansas Certified Nurserymen?EUR??,,????'???s program. This program set educational standards for nurserymen. Tests for certification are given by the University of Arkansas, and those receiving certificates are registered with the state. The purpose of this program is to give the consumer the assurance that they are dealing with knowledgeable personnel that sell horticultural products. Arkansas was the 1st state to initiate this testing and now, over 30 states implement this certification program. Donald was declared recipient of The Columbia County Century Farm Award. His great-grandfather?EUR??,,????'???s farm, which is now Pittman Nursery, has been in continual horticultural operation since 1855. The land was given to his great-grandfather for his service in the Mexican War. Other interests include real estate and the development of Forest Place subdivision, as well as Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery and 23rd Psalm Cemetery. Recently, he was awarded the Cross of Military Service, an outgrowth of the Southern Cross of Honor, bestowed on Confederate Veterans by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Cross of Military Service may be bestowed on lineal descendants of Confederate Veterans who have served honorably in time of War or Conflict. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church since childhood, a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Club, a charter member of the Kiwanis Club. He served on the Magnolia Sewer Commission for several terms. He was also a registered landscape architect in Arkansas and Texas, an Arkansas Certified Nurseryman, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a member of the American Legion for 53 years, and a lifetime member of the Southwest Arkansas Genealogical Society.