John R. Pittsenbargar

John R. Pittsenbarger longtime resident of Las Cruces, NM died January 5, 2024. John was born to John A. Pittsenbargar and Barbara Hoffman on January 21, 1949, in St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK. He attended Eastwood High School in El Paso, TX and graduated from Bay St. Louis Senior High School in Bay St. Louis, MS in 1967.

John served proudly in the US Army from 1970-1973 (Vietnam). After he attended New Mexico State University from 1973-1975 and chose to return to the US Army from 1975-1979 where he was discharged Honorably. John later worked for White Sands Missile Range from 1980-2003 where he would retire from. John was also 100% disabled veteran.

During his time in the Army, John received the following awards, Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, one for valor, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 6 purple hearts, U.S Army Good Conduct medal, National Defense Medal, RVN Service Medal, RVN Military Merit Medal, RVN Cross of Galantry, RVN Army Honor Medal, 2ND Class RVN Wound Medal, RVN Campaign Medal, and the RVN Transportation Badge.

John was a founding member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (M.O.P.H.) Mesilla Valley Chapter. He was also a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Las Cruces Chapter. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (S.C.V) “Rebels on the Rio Grande”, New Mexico Division.

John is survived by his wife Irene M. (O’Neil) Pittsenbargar and sons Kurt and Ross, daughter-in-law Michelle and grandchildren, James T., Shayla, Beowulf, Thomas J. and William (Liam). Other loving family members are James Cardenas, his children James Jr., Nicole and Isabella, David Brunson, Joy Brunson and their children, Jasai, Jeuel, Jylan, Daniel and Alexandra Acosta and their children Daniella and

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 10:00AM at Masonic Cemetery, followed by a gathering at Veterans Park on Roadrunner Parkway to Celebrate his life.