Alvin “Al” Earl Paetzell passed away at The Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice on Sunday, March 1, 2020.
Al was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on April 6, 1928, to parents Robert Paetzell, Jr. and Mary Lorraine Lawrence Paetzell. He graduated from Frenchtown High school, in Frenchtown, NJ. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served his country for two years in the United States and in Japan with occupation forces. After serving his country, he attended the University of Tennessee for two years, then transferred to North Carolina State School of Forestry and graduated in 1953 with a degree in wood technology. Al began his career with the Lane Furniture company in Altavista, VA, and worked in the furniture and wood working industry until he retired from International Paper in Tarboro, NC. In his leisure time, Al enjoyed boating, fishing, camping, gardening, reading, and spending time with family.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Ann Scott Paetzell; his daughter, Ann Scott Paetzell Rickard and husband, Jimmy Rickard; two grandchildren, Kristen Ann Sims Harrod and husband, Joshua Michael Harrod; David Christopher Sims and wife, Adrienne Rae Hagedorn Sims; and three great-grandchildren, Katherine Ann Harrod, Gracie Mae Sims, and Elizabeth Jane Harrod; sisters, Dorrie Paetzell Neligan, and June Paetzell Weaver; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Al was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William L. Paetzell.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Tarboro, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 3201 Western Blvd, Tarboro, NC or Edgecombe County Veterans’ Military Museum, PO Box 115, Tarboro, NC, 27886.
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