Palmer Pitzer, Jr., of Nitro, formerly of Tyler Mountain, died Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at Thomas Memorial Hospital following a long illness.

Most who knew him called him Junior and remember him as a kind, gentle soul who always wore a smile.

Junior was born on June 28, 1936, in Ransford, West Virginia. He was the fourth son of Palmer Pitzer, Sr. and Delsie Darby Pitzer. He was raised on Tyler Mountain and attended Kanawha County Schools. As an adult he worked in the maintenance department of the Daniel Boone Hotel in Charleston, West Virginia, and for Goodwill Industries. He was preceded in death by his parents, Palmer and Delsie; his wives, Betty Flowers Pitzer and Loretta Robertson Pitzer; and an uncle, Shirley Darby.

Junior is survived by his brothers, John Atkins and wife, Dorothy of Parkersburg, Eugene Atkins and wife, Ruth of Springfield, Ohio, James Atkins and wife, Delores of Dunbar, Donald Pitzer and wife, Jean of Nitro, and Paul Wells and wife, Connie of Red House. He is also survived by his step-children, Helen Russell of Brasstown, NC and George Robertson of Charleston, and by many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday morning, October 11, 2008, at Keller Funeral Home, in Dunbar.

A service of Christian burial officiated by John Gibson, a family minister from Alabama, will follow at 11 a.m. Junior's final resting place will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.