Donald Fitch Leitch, age 74, of 1025 Hamilton Avenue, Clifton Forge, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at his home.

He was surrounded by his family and special friends.

The son of the late Charles and Janie Hall Leitch, Fitch was born in Clifton Forge on April 26, 1938. He was a graduate of Clifton Forge High School, served in the United States Army, and had been employed at CSX as conductor and brakeman until his health prevented him from continuing to work.

He was a recipient of a heart transplant in 1989 and a kidney transplant in 2001. Through the wonderful gift of organ donation, he was able to enjoy the past 23 years seeing his children graduate college, marry and become parents. His six grandchildren were the highlight of his life, bringing him many hours of enjoyment.

Fitch was a member of the Clifton Forge Baptist Church since childhood. He also was a member of Elks Lodge 1065, where he once served as Tiler. He was very active in the Clifton Forge Little League program for many years while his children were growing up, loved golf, and was a great supporter of Alleghany High School sports.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sue Huffman Leitch; three sons and their families: Greg and wife, Christie and children, Rachel and Connor of Greenville, NC; Steven and wife, Gretchen and daughter, Kendall of Leesburg; and Charles "Thumper" and children Bailee, Baron and Bryce of Clifton Forge. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Jones of NC; brothers-in-law, Tony Webster of Beaufort, SC, David Huffman and family of Talcott, WV, and L. J. Huffman and family of Salem; as well as sisters-in-law, Barbara Huffman of Clifton Forge and Jean Brender of Westland, MI. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, especially, Vicki Hall Broughman of Richmond, who was like a sister to him, and her husband, Sonny.

He and his family were blessed by special friends: Libby and Eric Burger, Cynthia and Wayne Humphries, Nancy and Richard Stogdale, and his friends at the BPOE. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Essie Leitch Webster.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend J. Glenn Linthicum and Reverend Jeff Riley officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be Burgess Leitch, Rob Golden, Jeff Barnette, Donald Tucker, Eric Burger, Wayne Humphries, C. R. Nicely, and Tim King. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Houff, Joe Wood, Richard Stodgale, and members of BPOE 1065 and other family friends. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home. Friends may call at other times at the family home, 1025 Hamilton Ave., Clifton Forge, VA. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Elks National Foundation.