PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Loved ones are remembering two Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services captains who just two days apart earlier this month.
Capt. Kelsey Pittman died at age 49 on Jan. 6. His funeral took place at Liberty Church in Hampton Friday morning.
The funeral program for Pittman paid homage to his fellow firefighter, Capt. Christopher "Jonesy" Jones.
An obituary for Jones says he died at age 47 on Jan. 8 after a 3-year battle with occupational cancer.
Capt. Kelsey Pittman
Capt. Pittman leaves behind two children, three siblings, his fiancée, and many relatives and loved ones, according to a program from his funeral.
Pittman graduated from Bethel High School in 1993 then went on to attend Norfolk State University and Thomas Nelson Community College.
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Photos: Capt. Kelsey Pittman
He began his career as a Portsmouth firefighter in May of 2000. He worked his way up through the ranks, earning a promotion to Fire Lieutenant in 2005 before being named Captain in 2010. He served in that role until his recent death.
The program shares how Pittman served "faithfully" as captain and took his role very seriously. It goes onto say how the fire department was an integral part of his life, and his brothers and sisters at PFD were special to him.
Capt. Christopher "Jonesy" Jones
Capt. Jones was born in Norfolk and was a longtime Chesapeake resident, graduating from Indian River High School in 1996, according to his obituary.
He is survived by his parents, his wife and their three children, two granddaughters, his Nan, and other loved ones.
He joined Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services in 2002 and "never looked back," his obituary notes. He peers affectionately referred to him as a "fireman's fireman."
His obituary says most importantly, he was "a man on fire for God" who taught at Sunday School, Bible study and a men's group.
