Jack Deyerle Spitzer

Jack Deyerle Spitzer

Jack Deyerle Spitzer, 82, of Crimora, Virginia, formerly of Harrisonburg, died on Thursday, October 21, 2010, at Alleghany Regional Hospital, Low Moor, Virginia. He had been hospitalized since October 19, 2010, when he became suddenly ill. He was a resident at the Golden Living Center in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Jack was born on October 30, 1927, in Harrisonburg, to the late Glenora Lee Branum and Howard Frederick Spitzer. Jack attended Harrisonburg High School and graduated in 1944. He then enlisted in the Navy during World War II and served on the USS Franklin (CV-13), and was a survivor of the 1945 attack on that ship.

When he returned home, Jack married Virginia L. Duvall on April 24, 1947, in New Market, Virginia. They had three children together and were married for nine years. In 1970, Jack met his domestic partner, Goldie Turk, and remained with her until her death in 1981.

Jack spent his career working as a Third Assistant Engineer aboard the oil tankers for the Tidewater Oil Company and later for Getty Oil until he retired in 1983. He was a member of the MeyersHodges VFW Post 8644 in Bridgewater, Virginia. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, horses, cooking, reading, and model trains.

Jack was preceded in death by his son, Frederick Dorsey Spitzer; his father, Howard Frederick Spitzer; his domestic partner, Goldie Turk; his sister, Patricia Lee (Spitzer) Cash; and his mother, Glenora Lee (Branum) Spitzer.

He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Lee (Spitzer) McCracken of Cooper City, Florida; his son Jack Deyerle Spitzer Jr. of Hallandale, Florida; his sister, Jean Spitzer Lyles of Bowie, Maryland; his four nieces, Diane (Fletcher) Shirkey of Bridgewater, Virginia; Gail (Fletcher) Shanholtz of Stephens City, Virginia; Paula Jean (Fletcher) Griffith of Panama City, Florida; and Tamye Jean Lyles of Bowie, Maryland; as well as two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; eight great- nieces and nephews; and seven great-great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, November 20, 2010, at Prayer Chapel of the Vision of Hope United Methodist Church, 1723 Port Republic Road, Harrisonburg, with the Reverend David Burch officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Sinai Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the MyersHodges VFW Post 8644, 118 Dry River Road, Bridgewater, VA 22812.

The Lindsey Harrisonburg Funeral Home is in charges of arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the Spitzer family at www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.