James Hollis Pitzer

James "Jim" Hollis Pitzer, 98, formerly of Lake Havasu City, AZ and Prescott Valley, AZ, passed away in Mesa, Arizona on May 3, 2017. He was born January 7, 1919 to Hollis and Ruby (Forbes) Pitzer in Mt. Union, Iowa. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1937, later graduating as a certified welder from Mac's Welding School in 1938. He married Frances DeVore of New London, IA; they later divorced. In 1944, James joined the Navy and served as a welder in a ship repair unit, Petty Officer 2nd Class, until the end of WWII.
In 1960, he married Marilyn Gloria Robertson. Due to his health, they left their Iowa farm in 1965, becoming pioneers of the newly developed Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It was here that he founded Pitzer Air Conditioning. Jim was active in the Methodist Church. As a lifetime member of the Elks' Lodge and as a past Exalted Ruler, he participated in the communities that helped the new city grow.
After his retirement in 1979, he and Marilyn traveled extensively. Jim never met a stranger, loved good humor, and felt laughter was good for the soul. Hobbies included traveling, stained glass art, oil painting, metal fabrication, compost gardening, and helping anyone in need.
Jim is survived by daughter Bonnie (Gary) Keeton of Redfield, IA; son Tony (Monica) Pitzer of Apache Junction, AZ; sister Kathleen (Edwin) Kennedy of Yorkville, IL; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marilyn Gloria on December 1, 2014; sister Sydna Lorraine Crone, sons Rodney Thomas Robertson and Donald Eugene Robertson; and daughter Sharon Pitzer Hunter, who passed away a week before him.
A Celebration of Life for Jim and Marilyn will be held at the Ruffner-Wakelin Funeral Home Bradshaw Chapel, 8480 East Valley Road, Prescott Valley, AZ on May 21, 2017 at 10:30am, with Rev. Gary Simmons officiating. Interment will be in Heritage Memorial Park, Dewey, AZ. Memorials may be made to any veteran's organization of choice.