Peter James Ingram

PETER JAMES INGRAM, 74, of Huntington, WV, passed away July 1, 2024 with his family by his side.
Pete had a sarcastic sense of humor, cynical nature and a trademark exasperated "look." A conversation with Pete was always going to be comforting and/or hilarious.
He grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where he acquired his love of bagels and pizza. He loved being a kid in NYC, going to Yankee games, riding his bike to watch the Twin Towers being built and playing hide-and-seek in Macy's.
Pete came to Huntington from New York in 1968 to attend Marshall University. He was a lifelong baseball fan who loved the New York Yankees, except when they lost, at which point "they're dead to me." He played baseball at Marshall as a pitcher for Coach Jack Cook. He also took great interest in Huntington Little League and spent many hours on the field with friends Eddie Paul and Jimmy Moss, and he coached teams even for years after his children were grown. He was also an impressive tennis player and tennis "stage dad" and coach. He was a regular at the YMCA where he made many treasured friendships.
Pete was a medical social worker at Cabell Huntington Hospital for 40 years. He had a passion for helping people and empowering them in confusing and often sad situations. He believed in social justice and valued helping others.
He retired years ago but never stopped helping friends and family navigate problems big and small, from medically complex situations to car troubles. He never let anyone buy anything before he read reviews and checked for deals. He was an encyclopedia for home maintenance. He could always tell you what's on sale at Lowe's and when to buy the deeply discounted (and likely dead) plants. He stalked traffic cams and webcams wherever he knew his children would be. He gave years of service as "cabana boy" to his wife and her pool buddies.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Cy and Edna Schleifer and James Ingram. He was survived by his wife and partner of 48 years, Jo Dee Gottlieb, son Joe Ingram, daughter and son-in-law Corey and John Mendez, and granddaughter Rosie Mendez, who loved her "Pocky" very much. Also brothers Scott (Andi) Ingram and Todd Ingram, sisters Joan, Phyllis, and Liz, and sister-in-law Linda Gottlieb. The family would like to give special acknowledgment to Diana Shi, Cindy Winger, Sheila Stephens, Mary Sue Christian, and many other friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pete's honor may be made to Team for WV Children, Bethesda Cares, Housing Up, or a social justice organization of your choice.
Celebration of life will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday Aug. 18, 2024 at Temple B’nai Sholom (949 10th Ave., Huntington, WV).