ike finished his mission on earth surrounded in the love of his family and friends on Thursday, January 19th. In May, he celebrated 50 years of marriage with the love of his life, Kathy. The two of them did everything together and the love that they shared was something that is rare and treasured. They enjoyed taking walks, reading together, and spending time in the mountains. They were always together and still held hands when they were near. Their two children, Lori and Cory, are grateful that their dad was always there for them. He was an amazing example of all that a dad should be. He was fiercely loyal to his family and always put them first. He led by example and was teacher of all things, his common sense and knowledge prepared them for life. He made even the smallest of things special and his unconditional love was obvious to them each day. They could never ask for anything more – he was everything. His pride and joy were his 5 grandkids; Kathryn, Clara, Taylor, Grant, and Wes. He was their Papa. He was there for them in all ways, showing them fun, teaching them about life, listening to their stories and sharing his own, cheering them on in their activities, offering advice and guidance, and most of all making sure that they knew he was there for them. Each of them has memories with Papa that they will treasure forever. Annie was his fur baby and never far from his side, whether it was next to his recliner, in the garage while he was working, or on the porch overlooking the mountains, she was his loyal girl. Mike also had a never ending circle of friends and he touched each one of them in a special way too. His family is forever grateful for all of the love and support that this extended family has shown to them as they mourn the loss their husband, dad, and papa.
Mike was born in Washington DC on July 29, 1942 to Carroll and Kathrine Cornell. He served as a medic in the Air Force in Korea. He was a member of VFW posts 1323 (Maggie Valley, NC) and 4256 (Madeira Beach, FL).
Mike found his spiritual home at St. Anthony’s under the inspiration of Father Jerome, with whom both he and Kathy had a special bond. Father Jerome provided comfort and assurance to him as he prepared to leave us.
The service will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd. on Friday, February 3, 2017. Please meet at the administration building by 1:45 PM and we will caravan to the service site. The service starts at 2:15. Following the service we will gather to celebrate Mike’s life at a location to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation. Donations can be made by mailing a check to 12902 Magnolia Drive, MBC-FOUND, Tampa, FL 33612, by calling 1-800-456-3434 ext. 1403 or online at www.moffitt.org/giving. Please note that your donation is being made in memory of Mr. Douglas Pitzer.
Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
Papa was a great role model for me. He guided me through many things and helped me develop some common sense. It was a great shock to me when I was pulled out of school to see my Papa for the last time. It is a major landmark in my life, and it may not be a happy one, but it’ll be an event I take with me all the way to my own death. I’ve shared countless moments with him, and am glad he watches over me when I go through out my life. He was a major part of my life, and has made a great impact on not just me, but everyone he has met. I am devastated to say goodbye, but am happy now I know he is in a place where he is no longer suffering.
Dear Kathy and family I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing it’s very sad he was a great neighbor and a great friend he was also a great Patriot and devoted family man which I always appreciated in him God bless you all and God bless Mike
Dearest Sweet Sister,Sister-in Law and Family
We are so shocked and saddened by Mike’s sudden illness and passing away that any words seem inadequate to express our sympathy. Mike was the definition of what a “good man” is. Husband, father, grandfather, relative or friend – he performed all those roles with happiness and love. Kathy, you were fortunate to have spent your long married life with him and he was fortunate to have chosen you for his wife, he couldn’t have done any better. We love you very much.
Growing up, I spent many memorable weeks with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Mike in Florida. Their love for each other has and always will be an example of an amazing marriage and what true soul mates are. I still can’t believe that Uncle Mike has passed away – he was so much fun to be around and always brought joy and positivity to every situation. He will be truly missed – we love you.
Dear Kathy and family, I will so miss Mike he was a wonderful neighbor, and as I’ve told you we always called him the mayor. He was always there to answer my question or to help me out. Many times I borrowed tools from him and he laughed and suggested I needed to find someone who knew how to use them . His smiling face was always a welcome, and I miss seeing him in the garage with his newspaper or building something. I know I’ll end up leaving my garage door open without his helpful call! Although I don’t believe I’ll be able to attend the service as I will be working, please know that I will be there in spirit and you guys will be in my heart ,my prayers are with you and your family. God bless, Marilyn Wambold
Mike Pitzer was a joy to know. I never saw him without a smile on his face and joy in his heart.
You could just tell how much love he and Kathy shared in the way they smiled, laughed together, enjoyed experiencing life together. They were so much in love snd an example of what true love is. How blessed she and theit family were to have him. He blessed me with his friendship and his caring.
I know where he is; God is having a welcome celebration in Heaven for this special man.
Anne McIntyre
Mike was/is one of the best people I have ever met! He’s always been kind, caring, wise and such a Good Man (as Sean says, he’s one of the good guys)! Kathy, you and Mike were my best friends for years. We had a lot of fun together and you guys were always there for me. I let the world get in the way, so have not seen you for some time but I love you both like it was yesterday.
I’ve always loved the way you two look at each other and that you were best of friends. I could see it in both of your eyes. Mike would always tell me, you’ll find the lid to your pot one day. And I did (thanks Lori), just like you guys!
Mike, rest in peace and know that you are so very, very loved. You’ve been an awesome husband, dad, Papa and friend and, as a human being, you nailed it!!
Kathy & Family, I was very sad to hear about Mike. He was a great guy and will be greatly missed. I hope that your memories comfort all you and that he is now at peace. God Bless, Pam
To my dear friend Kathy and all her family,
If you can imagine a person who is strong in his faith, kind, loyal, helpful, and has all his priorities in life straight, it would be Mike Pitzer. He absolutely left a mark in this world, showing us a shining example how we should be. His love for his faith, family, friends and country was out of this world and it showed in everything he did. Mike has given a wonderful light in all the lives that he touched that will never be dimmed.
Rest in peace Mike, and you know your family will be in good hands with God and the love of all your friends.
To the entire Pitzer family-
I am so very sorry for your loss. Cory and Lori I remember your dad fondly with a smile on his face and a welcoming hello whenever I saw him. God bless you all. Sending you all nothing but love, prayers and strength.
Mike was a great guy and true friend. We first met in a business situation and from the first meeting we found how much we had in common. We shared stories of children, grandchildren, wine, and travel. He and Kathy loved vacationing in the mountains and we both enjoyed the same area. Mike was so enthusiastic telling us about the view from their new mountain home. We visited them there as they were settling in and adding their personal touches. Mike was right, it truly has a beautiful mountain view.
While we will miss spending time with Mike, his sense of humor, great smile and laugh will remain with us always.
We pray Kathy and their family will find peace and comfort in their wonderful memories.
This is still unthinkable for me and my heart breaks for you Kathy, Cory, Lori and family.
Mike was always the caretaker of others, anyone in need. I witnessed this in so many instances. But most of all I will never forget all he did for Steve and I in our darkest days. He brought food, came to visit, called and gave advice. And when Steve couldn’t take care of the house anymore, Mike gathered all of his buddies and organized them to rebuild our fence that was falling down. He came with a sign the he made and he hung on the fence that said “Steve’s fence of strength”. This was the last time Steve walked outside and I saw how touched he was my Mike and the guys and saw the relief and gratitude on Steve’s face that Mike provided. For that I am forever grateful.
And that’s just one small example of the wonderful caring man that Mike was. He helped his neighbors, treated me and many others as family, was always willing to help out and asked for nothing in return.
His relationship and marriage to Kathy was one of example, of love, of respect. And Kathy, I want you to know that I am here for you.
I take comfort in knowing Mike is out of pain, that he is with Steve and so many others who have passed before us, that he is in heaven sitting in the hand of God, and that we will someday all be together again. God bless Mike, he will be missed and never forgotten.
I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing, but grateful for the life he lead. If there was ever a person who immulated action beyond just words it was Mike. His caring, smile, sense of duty, and love of family was obvious and I really enjoyed working with him and being in his presence. We had many good laughs and he will forever be imbedded in my memory bank. To Kathy and family I’ m so sorry for your loss, but hope that you will continue to cherish the many years of being together and the storage of memories created during those times. Hopefully each of will retain some measure of the lessons he imparted to us through his words and deeds, that is always the best way to sustain the impact he surely has had.
Dear Kathy and family, I am so sorry for your loss! Kathy, it is hard to imagine the two of you separated! Mike was a nice person and co-worker! I just want you to know that he was loved and respected, and will always be in my memories. May God comfort you with His assurance that you two will meet again in His presence. I love you
My Froggy – I miss you. You are a remarkable uncle. A mentor – in life and in work. Forty- three years; you have been there for me all my life. I am so thankful that my heart pulled me to come see you and Kathy this past December, I didn’t know why then, but I do now. We have so many great memories that I will cherish forever. The laughs and the fun we all had growing up together, some of them are: Friday nights, your van at Disney, countless trips to North Carolina and Tennessee. The Christmas play we did in your and Kathy’s garage. Talking on the CB radio. The Farmers Market and shelling peas on a porch. Snipe hunting. Me – spinning a baton in your Sunshine Spinners.
You and Kathy set a great example of love to all. You gave David a piece of advice once, and he passes that on to others – frequently. It was that a relationship is never 50/50 – you always have to give more, and in turn they give you more back. The love you have for Kathy, Lori, Cory and the grandkids is unmeasurable. Nothing stopped you when it came to family – you are a devoted man. So loved by many.
You had a list for everything – such as the miles we ran and how long it should take us. I am so happy to have shared many marathons with you. The advice you gave along the way, or didn’t.
You always smiled and laughed. You took me under your wing at work.
You are missed, but I know that you are watching down on all of us. I am glad you are not in pain anymore. You did great things by God – you welcomed so many, took care of others.
The love and friendship you and Kathy shared is amazing and wonderful. Kathy, Lori, Cory and grandkids – Mike, dad, Papa – he is a great man – always has been, always will be. How blessed to have him in your life and teach you as you grew along the way.
I am so thankful I was there by your side, to squeeze your hand, to tell you I love you. It was a great honor, to be there with your family surrounding you, another memory I will never forget.
Our hearts are aching for Kathy, Lori, Cory and family for the loss of their husband, dad and papa. After 51 years we have lost our best friend and my brother and uncle to our girls. Mike and I met at his slot car track in October, 1965. We hit if off immediately and have been brothers since. We were able to work together side by side for a number of years at the Donnell Co. As our families grew, we shared many memories – Friday night dinners, sliding down the side of 34th Street overpass on cardboard, vacations to Gatlinburg, TN and Franklin, NC are a few.
Mike never met a stranger. His heart was open to everyone. His patriotism to our country…the BEST!!
Mike always put his family first. Nothing was more important than his family. The love story of Mike and Kathy was the shared sweetness of friendship, much laughter and enjoying life to its fullest. Mike would always say to us, “If you need me, I’m just a phone call away, and he was.
I was blessed to have the honor of saying goodbye by giving my brother a hug and letting him know that I love him and will miss him.
We are rejoicing now that Mike is with our heavenly Father and can now breathe easy. He fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7
Dear Kathy, Lori, Cory, and Family, Our sincere condolences for the sudden loss of Mike, your husband, Dad and Papa. He’s always been there and know how deeply he will be missed. He was always there for anyone in need. You are in our prayers. Our prayers are for Mike and all of you during this painful time and forever, that God will give you strength now and always when in need. We miss him too. Love Jeanne and Nick
Dear Kathy and family,
I am so sorry for your loss of one terrific husband, father,friend, and grandfather. I always admired Mike for his straight-forward, common sense style of working and living. The JWB family and anyone else he touched, were all in such good hands with Mike. I still remember Mike and all your family gathering for your retirement party at JWB, and how we all sang in unison wishing you well as you were going to the mountains! Well he’s up there now, smiling down on us I know. God Bless!
I was truly blessed to have my papa for 17 years of my life. He was a strong man, and always taught me to be self reliant and to always do what made me happy. Papa showed me what true love looks like and I hope when I become older, I find what Him and Nanny shared, because it is so rare to find. Up to his last moments he was always making sure that his family was put first, a trait that I aspire to take from him and share for the rest of my life. With God’s help I was blessed with a gift that both papa and I shared; photography. He inspired me in so many ways and I feel very connected to him whenever I take a photo.
I cannot say anything less than that I am blessed beyond words to know a man like Papa. He is the epitome of a perfect husband, father, and papa.
I pray that you all will continue to hold close your memories of him and feel at peace with the smallest reminder of him, rather it be a camera, a bottle of muscadine wine, or the red and white mints he never failed to have. He was a great man and I will miss him so much, but I am at peace knowing he is at peace himself.
I love you Papa.
Six years ago we had the honor of meeting Mike. We quickly became friends and we knew then he was a special man. Mike was always there for us. He always said, if u need me just call. Mike was to me like an older brother that I never had. We spent great times together that I will cherish the rest of my life. I will miss you brother, and I know that I can still call you if I need you. Until we meet again. God bless you.
There are no words to describe how great a man Mike was or the sadness we feel at losing him. We started as neighbors and soon became friends. Driving down the street will never be the same. And we will not be the same because Mike took a little bit of our hearts with him. He looked out for everyone all the time and we know he will continue to do so. The world lost a really good man… how lucky we were to call him our friend. Kathy, Lori and Cory – thank you for sharing him with us. We miss him terribly. Our love and prayers to you all….
I extend my deepest condolences to the Pitzer family for their immeasurable loss. In a relatively short period of time Mike became a friend and someone that, together with his wife Kathy, regularly brightened my day. He was a man of many talents and the gift of his artistic lighted decorative creation will be treasured by my family always. Gone too soon, but always remembered, his memory and good deeds live on through the many lives he touched.
Kathy & Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss and I grieve with you. I know Mike is safely Home with his LORD.
While we rejoice for Mike that his deep & personal faith in Christ is now his eternal reality, we who are left behind miss Mike and everything about him, especially who he was to each of us: the Best example of a Husband, Dad, Papa, Uncle, Friend, and Colleague I have ever met.
You are in my heart and my prayers.
Love,
Jennie
Nanny Loren Cory and Family
I was lucky enough to have Mike as a father in law for 21 years.My father passed away when Kathryn was less than a year old and Mike was always there to help when needed.We went on vacations together did projects together and drank a lot of beer together,and I also learned about snipe hunting lol.Mike always put family first I wish I could have been half the papa he was to Kathryn and Taylor they loved him so much and most of all greatness is not measured in wealth its measured in generosity and whats in your heart.
Rest in Peace Papa
I will always cherish the moments we spent at Uncle Mike and Aunt Kathy’s every Easter growing up. We always got SO excited to visit and were SO sad to leave. When we were with him, there was so much laughter. I always thought he was the funniest person ever, so witty and lighthearted. I will always be inspired by the beautiful bond between Aunt Kathy and Uncle Mike. My heart hurts for the loss of such an amazing man who meant so much to so many people. I am truly grateful to have experienced the light he shared. My deepest sympathies to Aunt Kathy, Lori, Cory, and the whole family. You are in my prayers. Love you so much.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet and become friends with Mike and Kathy in Maggie Valley, North Carolina about five years ago. I found Mike to be a devoted friend and he was so knowledgeable about everything we discussed. He adored Kathy and loved his family and was always telling me stories about his grandchildren. He was very positive and in such a happy mood all the time. He will truly be missed by all. Rest In Peace my friend.
I served with Doug at Kunsan AB in Korea. He was a great guy and a good OR tech. We handled several ambulance runs together him driving and me as navigator. I was sorry to see his passing. Blessings on your family Doug.