Arthur Kitzman
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Arthur LeRoy Kitzman, 85, of Stanwood, and formerly Tacoma, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Providence Regional Medical Center. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Marianna "Cookie" Kitzman, for 52 years and father to Rebecca Ann and David Keene. Art was born in Kersey, Colorado, in 1935 and raised in Greeley. At the age of five, the family moved to Tacoma, where he lived for 70 years. He attended Lincoln High School, class of 1955. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served his country with honor during the Korean War as a medic on the USS Piedmont AD-17. Art returned from the South Pacific and earned his high school diploma before starting his career as a barber/cosmetologist, state inspector, and correctional instructor for Centralia Community College. He took great pride in the final stage of his professional life as a teacher at the Shelton Correctional facility, mentoring inmates and teaching skills for a life outside of prison. Art met his life's love, Cookie, in August of 1967, and they wed on July 26, 1968. They raised two children, Rebecca and David, in University Place. He was a University Place Presbyterian Church member from 1975 through 2007, where he served as a Deacon and Head Usher. Art and Cookie lived for the past 14 years at Lake Goodwin and were Mountain View Presbyterian Church members. His family and friends will forever remember Art as a caring and generous man who puts others' needs first. The doors to his home were always open to family, friends, and the friends of his children. He enjoyed a good joke, savored opportunities to tell a story over a cup of coffee, and longed to travel the country with a metal detector. Art was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Henry and Henrietta "Edith" Kitzman, and his sister, Dolores Thornhill. Art was "Papa" to six grandchildren: Jacob, Joey, Tommy, Edith, Emmeline, and Miles. He was Uncle Buddy to his niece Deni and nephews Mike and Brad. He also leaves behind his son-in-law Vincent Schommer and daughter-in-law Shawna Kitzman, as well as their families, who were very dear to him. Art's legacy of kindness and compassion will live on through the lives of all he impacted. We will miss you, Dad. A private graveside ceremony is scheduled for Thursday morning at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett. The family plans to host an outdoor gathering in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain View Presbyterian Church; 5115 100th St NE, Marysville, WA, 98270.