Oliver Tyree Kittinger

Oliver Tyree Kittinger, age 84 of Rocky Mount, VA died at his home on Monday, November 5, 2012. He was born on May 29, 1928 in Rocky Mount, VA a son of the late Oscar Tyree and Irene King Kittinger. Mr. Kittinger attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute where he received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1951. He was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Honorary Fraternity and a member of the VPI Corps of Cadets. Upon graduation he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Following graduation from Virginia Polytechnic Institute Lt. Kittinger entered active duty with the United States Army serving at numerous posts which included Fort Benning, Fort Knox, Fort Riley and Korea. He served with distinction as a photo-interpreter in the 9th Corps Artillery during the Korean War where he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded the Bronze Star and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge during his Korean tour of duty. At the conclusion of his military service Mr. Kittinger attended the Medical College of Virginia-School of Pharmacy where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors. He excelled academically at MCV graduating third in his School of Pharmacy class and becoming a member of the Sigma Zeta National Honorary Fraternity. Upon graduation from the Medical College of Virginia-School of Pharmacy, Mr. Kittinger returned to Rocky Mount where he joined his father as a business partner at Kittinger’s Drug Store. He later became sole owner of the business where he enjoyed working with a special group of outstanding employees to serve his customers and community from 1956 to 1985. Following the close of his private business he subsequently worked with Eckerd Drug, Rite Aid Corporation and CVS where he was employed as a Pharmacist serving at site locations in Martinsville, Collinsville and Roanoke until his retirement in 2008. During his active business career he held positions in a number of civic organizations including: President-Rocky Mount Jaycees, President-Roanoke Valley Pharmaceutical Association, President-Rocky Mount Parent Teachers Association, Deacon-Rocky Mount Baptist Church and 19 years of service as a Director on the Board of Directors for Franklin Memorial Hospital. Additionally, he participated as a member of the Rocky Mount Retail Merchants Association, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, American Legion-Post 6 and the Rocky Mount United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene; father, Oscar; brother, Edward of Longwood, Florida; and brother, Andrew of Richmond, Virginia. Surviving are his loving wife of 61 years, Muriel Marie Motley Kittinger; son, Mark Oliver Kittinger and his wife, Kimberly Ann Paoletti Kittinger, their daughter and adoring granddaughter, Morgan Marie Kittinger of Rocky Mount, VA; daughter, Lisa Marie Kittinger of Woodbridge, VA; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services celebrating Oliver’s life will be conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel 11 a.m. Thursday with Rev. Bruce D. Tuttle officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Franklin County Rescue Squad, Rocky Mount United Methodist Church or the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. His family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Flora Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.