I was born on November 11, 1938 to the union of Jack Johnson and Dora Elizabeth Hopgood Pirtle in East Saint Louis, Illinois.

I received my formal education from the East St. Louis School District 189. I attended John Robinson High School, Hughes Quinn Jr High School, and graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in 1955 at the age of 16. During high school, I was part of the Marching Tiger Band where I received the top drummer award in the State of Illinois. Upon graduation I was employed at Rockway Confectionary in East St. Louis, Illinois. On May 16, 1958 I enlisted in the United States Navy. I was one of the first African Americans promoted to Navy personnel due to my extraordinary typing skills. I completed my active service and re-enlisted in the Naval Reserve Unit until my retirement in 1986.

On July 26, 1964, I married Gwendolyn Francell Reeves and started a family. I began working at the U.S. Army Record Center until 1970. I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I attended San Diego Jr. College, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, State Community College East St. Louis, and received my business education taking classes at McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois. I became a member of the Masonic Order Southern Cross Lodge, Tyree Consistory, and a Shriner in Aahmes Temple #132 of East St. Louis, Illinois.

I opened Pirtle's office Supply in 1971 until 1977. I continued my entrepreneur business adventures in 1978 by opening Pirtle's Quik Shop. In 1979, I joined the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Dupo, Illinois until 1985. I joined the United States Postal service in 1985 until my retirement in 1999. Upon retirement, I took part time position in St. Clair County Comprehensive Mental Health for a few years.

I felt religion was a vital part of my life. I was a member of the St. Paul Baptist Church and later joined Wesley-Bethel United Methodist Church under Pastor Roderick McLean. I was an active member in the United Methodist Men, Men's Chorus, Usher Board, Trustee Board, and became a Certified United Methodist Lay Speaker. My hobbies included listening to my massive music collection, collecting coins, stock market investing, and reading. My love for business allowed me to open Pirtle's Famous Ice Cream in Belleville, Illinois in 2017.

I was preceded in death by my parents, my sister Catherine Jones of Centralia, Illinois, and Brother Richard Pirtle of Los Angeles, California. I am survived by my lovely wife of 57 years Gwendolyn F. Pirtle; my children Scot A. Pirtle, Stephanie A. Pirtle-Watts, and Damion A. Pirtle; my grandchildren Brook A. Pirtle, Hallei F. Pirtle, Aaron A. Pirtle, Kamryn R. Pirtle, Andersyn R. "Lucky" Watts, Joshua A. Pirtle, Hannah D. Pirtle, and Bryton J. Wilson; my great-granddaughter Kassidy Reed; my sister Carolyn Anderson of Chicago, Illinois; my "special" granddaughters Angelique Philips and Bria Greer; my sister-in-law Alice Gray; nieces and nephew Alicia Reeves, Joy Gray, and Brian Reeves; my nieces and nephew Janet Jones (Oscar) Isaiah of Centralia, Illinois, Shelia Simmons, and Clemmie Simmons of Chicago, Illinois; my two God sons, Nolon Hawkins Jr. and Frederick Jones Jr.; my bonus sons, Gary, Wesley, and Reginald Joshway (deceased); a host of wonderful cousins, friends and my extended family Marica Pirtle, Timothy Watts, The Hamer Family and The Coldon Family. I'll now joing my closest friends Eddie Anderson, John Thurmon, Willie James Dixon, Frederick Jones, Sr., and MacArthur Golliday in Heaven.