Max Kammer

Bluefield, WV- Max L. Kammer 89 of 423 Oakhurst Avenue Bluefield, WV died Monday March 8, 2010 at a Bluefield hospital. Born March 26, 1920 in Williamson, WV he was a son of the late Harry and Helen Jo Stauffer Kammer, and they moved to Bluefield in 1923. Max was a 1938 Graduate of Bluefield High School and a 1942 graduate of West Virginia University. While at West Virginia University, he received a partial scholarship by serving as a four-year manager for the football team. Also, at graduation, Max was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant U.S. Army, and was ordered to active duty three days after graduation. During World War II, in the European Theater, he received two bronze stars and a Purple Heart. Prior to his retirement, he was responsible for the Army Reserve Unit being placed and built in Bluefield, directly behind Bluefield High School. He retired in 1970 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Max’s father purchased Lewis Furniture Company in 1932, and Max began his long career at Kammer Furniture Company in 1946. For the last 61 years he was an active and charitable member of the Bluefield community. He served the Red Cross, Union Mission, Salvation Army, United Way, Parking Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Sales Executive Club, Past Commander of Riley-Vest Post # 9 of The American Legion, Past President of the Ahavath Sholom Congregation and B’nai B’rith. In 1994 he was chosen as the recipient of the Riley Vest Post # 9, American Legion Distinguished Citizen Award, and in 2006 he was inducted to the Bluefield High School Hall of Fame. He was a proud member of Bluefield Elks Lodge # 269, the Bluefield-Mercer Lodge #85 A.F.&A.M., and the Beni Kedem Shrine. He and Kammer Furniture Company were recognized as the “1999 Home Furnishing Retailer of the year” by NHFA. In addition, he and Kammer furniture Company was the recipient of the West Virginia Home Furnishing Retailer of the Year for 1985, 1997, and 2007. Max was an exemplary employer, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all. He is survived by his lovely wife of 58 years Virginia Saunders Kammer, a son Harry S. Kammer and his wife Terri of Bluefield, VA, a daughter Alice Ann Sarver and her husband Steve of Bluefield, WV, a sister A. Roselyn Kammer of Lexington, KY, four grandchildren Katherine Anne Kammer, Caroline Rose Kammer, Chad Kammer Brady and Sarah Ann Kammer Brady and two step-grandchildren Matthew and Elizabeth Sarver. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday March 11, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Mercer Funeral Home with Rabbi Stanley Funston officiating. Interment and Military Grave Side Rites will be held at Monte Vista Park Cemetery. Members of the Riley-Vest Post # 9, American Legion will serve as pallbearers and members of the Mercer County Veterans Council will perform Military services. The family will receive friends Thursday one hour prior to service time. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial, tax deductible contributions be made to the Max L. and Virginia S. Kammer Family Scholarship Fund, for area high school students attending West Virginia University, in care of the Community Foundation of the Virginia’s, Inc., P.O. Box 4127, Bluefield, WV 24701 or by visiting the Foundation’s website at www.cfvinc.org, or contacting the office at 128 North Street, Bluefield, WV, 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Kammer family.

Max Kammer

March 26, 1920 - March 8, 2010