Mr. John L. Bitter Jr.

John Leonard Bitter Jr., 80 Died December 23, 2012 at Hospice Atlanta. John was born December 14, 1932 in Johnson City Tenn. and also lived in Elizabethton Tenn. The family moved to Ashville, NC when John was a teenager. John graduated from Sewanee Military Academy, attended the University of North Carolina, the University of Mexico and graduated from the University of Arizona. He then attended Columbia Business School. John served in the Korean War aboard the USS Essex. John began his Investment Banking career on Wall Street with F. Eberstadt and then became a partner of New York Securities. In 1972 he moved to Charlotte NC and joined R.S. Dickson Powell Kistler and Crawford. In 1984 John moved to Atlanta with Johnson Lane, Space and Smith which merged with Interstate Securities of Charlotte NC then merged with Wachovia. When he retired he became associated with Register and Akers and then became a private investor. He was preceded in death by his parents Millicent Ffolliott and Dr. John L. Bitter, brother Philip Bitter of Ashville NC. He is survived by his wife Carol; son John L. Bitter III, and his wife Patricia; grandchildren Caroline; John IV (Jack); and Sam of Charlotte NC., sister Millicent and husband Miles Elmore; brothers Karl and his wife Mary Gladys Bitter; Stephen and his wife Clara Bitter all of Ashville N.C. and many nieces and nephews and cousins. John was a member of Biltmore Forest Country Club of Ashville and was a decedent of Elder William Brewster of the Mayflower. In lieu of flower, donation may be made to your favorite charity. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11AM January 5, 2013 at H.M. Patterson & Son Spring Hill Chapel. Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.