Carl Allen Pitcher

Carl Allen Pitcher, 70, of Nampa, Idaho, died Jan. 12 at home after a battle with cancer.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kings Grace Church, 48 E. 18th St. in Junction City with the Rev. Gordon Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Gates Cemetery in Crow.

A viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Kings Grace Church in Junction City.

Carl A. Pitcher was born on April 2, 1937, to Paul Franklin and Viola Pearl Smith Pitcher in Burns. He was raised on a cattle ranch in Silver Lake. He met his "queen of the universe" Deanna Johnson in Silver Lake and the two married on Oct. 28, 1960, in Veneta. After marriage Carl and Danna moved to Crow where he worked in well drilling.

After five years he started his own well drilling company. In 1988 they moved to La Grande where he continued to drill. Carl and Deanna eventually opened a bed and breakfast that they both enjoyed immensely, especially meeting the people who came to stay with them. In 2000 they retired and moved to Nampa.

Those who knew him say his passion in life was to see marriages healed with God's help, and for many years he and Deanna taught marriage classes and provided counseling.

His love, other than family was always having people over. Hospitality was huge on his list.

Those who knew him say his love of life was obvious, with a grin on his face and a hearty laugh. They said, "There is only one Carl."

He is survived by his wife, Deanna; his sons, Larry Pitcher of Prescott, Wash., and Chuck Pitcher of Nampa; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.