Obituary for Thomas Crawford Pitzer

Thomas Crawford Pitzer 73, passed away on January 12, 2025.

Thomas was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania on July 7, 1951 to Tom and Doris Pitzer. The family lived in Pittsburgh where Tom played baseball in grade school and Jr High with Ken Griffey till 1965 when they moved to Indiana. Tom attended Palmer Chiropractic College and Purdue University where he lettered in Rugby.

On August 24, 1974 he married Jacqueline Erickson-Pitzer at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Merrillville, Indiana. The couple would eventually relocate to Tucson in November 1986.
His career was as a first responder at US Steel and Bethlehem Steel in Gary, Indiana. Prior to retiring from Hughes Aircraft and Raytheon as a firefighter and Hazardous Material Tech in Tucson, AZ.

Tom always had a smile on his face which accounts for him being crowned “Mr. Personality” in high school! He was a well respected member of the community and was thoughtful, honest, cheerful, sentimental, and compassionate. He had a kind soul. A good man.

During their 50 years of marriage, they were fortunate to extensively travel the US as well travel to Italy, Ireland and Newfoundland. A highlight of their travels, and really exciting, was when they attended the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.

As an accomplished slalom water skier, Tom participated with the Cypress Garden ski show in Florida and in Key West they swam with the dolphins and trained with the seals.

Tom was an outdoorsman and a lover of animals, so in lieu of flowers please donate to the Southern Arizona Humane Society and/or St. Vincent de Paul Council, 829 S. 6 th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on August 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 2727 W. Tangerine Rd, Oro Valley, Arizona.