James Louis Pitzer

James Louis Pitzer, 92, of Carnegie, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2026. 

He was born on July 24, 1933, in Lafayette, Indiana, to James Dallas Pitzer and Edna Sherry Pitzer.

James graduated from Portland High School (Indiana) and soon after enlisted in the Korean War, where he served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. He was assigned to Howe Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, China Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

After the war, Jim married Mary "Sue" Phariss on September 3, 1955. They had four children.

Jim earned a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Long Beach State, California, and eventually worked at U.S. Steel for over 40 years in the Production and Planning Department. His work took him all over the world, and he spent several years in India and Slovakia.

Jim was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was also a member of the Tri-State Marine Corps Club.

He and his wife, Sue, lived in the Avella area for over 30 years where they raised Trakkaner Horses. In his younger years, Jim enjoyed fishing and playing sports.

Surviving are two daughters, Victoria Liberty (late Bruce Liberty) of Woodland Hills, California, and Kristi (Michael) Kielman of Carnegie; two sons, James M. (Nance) Pitzer of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Steven R. Pitzer of Los Angeles, California; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Loved ones who preceded him in death include his parents, wife, Sue; his sister, Marilyn Bell-Velton; and a grandchild, Alex Balestrero.

Family and friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Green Tree Ward, 46 School Street, Pittsburgh. The Memorial service will directly follow the visitation at 11 am. Burial will be on Monday, February 9, 2026, the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township in a private ceremony.