On Monday, October 11, Lawrence A. Fitzpatrick II, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother and Uncle was called home by Our Heavenly Father. He is reunited with his wife of 61 years, Chequita, as well as his son Layne, daughter Lana, and many family and friends.
Born in Tillamook, Oregon, and a graduate of West Linn High School, he spent his early days enjoying sports which included an all-around letter for football, basketball and baseball. After attending college, he joined the military where his first station was a territory known as Hawaii. There he met his Little Brown Gal, and they married in 1958. His military career took them around the world, and they retired to El Paso in 1979.
Highlights of his 26 years in the US Army were as a recipient of the Viet Nam Cross for Gallantry and the US Army Bronze Star. He also was the head of the Defense Language Institute (DLI) at Fort Bliss.
He continued his love for sports where he also was a racquetball champion for the US Army. He continued to play racquetball well into his mid-70s. He also continued his love for fitness up until a few months ago.
His retirement days included his hobbies of landscaping, gardening and growing flowers with Chequita, as well as traveling all 50 states. Cruises included trips to Alaska, Puerta Vallarta and the Panama Canal.
Time. Over 72 clocks in his collection were evident of his love and respect for time. He believed in quality over quantity, making his time here a life well-lived.
He is survived by Lawrence A. Fitzpatrick III (Sher); Lance Fitzpatrick; Lawn Fitzpatrick (Lisa); Laura Delmolino (Jamie); 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law Sharon Fitzpatrick and Arleen Gates; his brother- and sister-in-law Ed and Barbara Adams; several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly, greatly missed by his beloved dogs, Babe-E and Scooter. He is predeceased by his wife, Chequita; son, Layne; daughter, Lana; sisters, Maxine Buse and Colleen Todd; and brother Wayne Fitzpatrick.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 17 from 3-5 p.m. Interment at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors will be at a later time.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelCentral.com for the Fitzpatrick family.
