MILTON, W.Va. — Breece D’J Pancake soared like a meteor through the American literary universe in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Kurt Vonnegut wrote of him, “I give you my word of honor that he is merely the best writer—the most sincere writer I’ve ever read.” Pancake is perhaps known as much for his short stories as for his tragic passing: he ended his life at 26, just as his ascent to literary stardom began.  Breece Dexter John Pancake was born June 29, 1952, and grew up in Milton. His father, Clarence, worked for Union Carbide. After her husband’s