Pamela Kontzen

Pamela Clare Lord Kontzen passed away peacefully on April 22, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 24, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama, daughter of Audrie Walker Lord and Herman Griffith Lord, Jr.

Pam attended Robinson Elementary School and was in the first graduating class of Banks high school. She was vice president of the student body, secretary of the National Honor Society, a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, and a National Merit Semifinalist. At Birmingham Southern College she was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Sweetheart of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. It was there that she met her future loving and devoted husband of 54 years, Robert C. “Bob” Kontzen. They were married at Eastlake United Methodist Church March 16, 1963.

A longtime member of Huffman United Methodist Church, Pam was co-founder and co-director of The Children’s Place preschool and daycare program where she also taught 4-year-olds for nine years (1975 to 1984). She held various committee positions at the church, taught Sunday School, was a member of the sanctuary choir, and was choir director of the Kindergarten Choir for 33 years (1973 – 2006). She also loved to accompany her husband, Bob, on the piano whenever he sang solos.

In 1984, Pam started a 25-year career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) including 18 years as a research assistant in the Physiological Optics Department of the School of Optometry, where she was lab manager and research assistant in the Histology Module, a facility that she helped design. She was also an ASCP-certified Histology Technician and a microscope-photography-software consultant/instructor in this facility. As a well-respected professional in her field, in December 2001, Pam was voted Employee of the Month for UAB.

She was predeceased by her husband Bob Kontzen; parents, Audrey and Herman Lord, Jr.; dear brother, Gary G Lord, and wife Lois Lord; and beloved sister-in-law, Dottie K Walker.

She is survived by two beloved sons, R. Clark Kontzen II (Alecia) of Fort Mill, SC, and Christopher M Kontzen of Birmingham, Alabama; three adored grandchildren, Andrew and Ryan Kontzen of Fort Mill, SC, and Audrey Kontzen of Birmingham, Alabama; brother, Stephen W Lord (Carol), and many nieces and nephews and cousins including Minette Thompson Cranford, who she also considered a life-long friend. Pam’s love, goodness, and strength will always shine through her family.

Pam was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother, and she will be dearly missed. She was an extraordinary woman whose love and care deeply impacted many lives, particularly her family and the children she nurtured through teaching.

Visitation will be from 12 – 1 pm, Saturday May 4 at Huffman United Methodist Church with service to follow from 1 - 2 pm. Pam will be laid to rest at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.