John Earl Fritz

John Earl Fritz, Jr. was born in Boyertown, Pennsylvania on January 7, 1921 to John Earl Fritz and Loretta S. Thomas Fritz. Earl was confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in 1937.

He graduated from the prestigious Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the beginning of World War II and soon was commissioned as an Ensign, serving at Navy HQ in Washington, D.C. He was a graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Leila Jane Bitting and John Earl Fritz, Jr. were married February 23, 1946 at Stowe, Pennsylvania, beginning a 60-year marriage. Earl retired from the military in January 1981 and they moved to Orlando and became permanent Floridians. He worked as a manager at Glenn L. Martin Company (predecessor to Lockheed Martin) and remained in the U.S. Navy Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1981.

Earl Fritz served as President, Association of Shrine Drum Corps of North America. He was a "50 + year" Mason.

Jane and Earl moved to Indian River Colony Club, Melbourne, FL in 1992. Earl was an excellent golfer, and got the "Hole in One" award.

Earl served as Treasurer of IRCC - MGA 1996, 1997, 1998.

Earl celebrated his 96th birthday in January of this year. He passed away at Holmes Regional Medical Center in the early morning hours of February 19, 2017.

He is survived by two sisters-in-law, Grace (Bitting) Harty of Ohio and Ruth Elaine (Bitting) Henricks of Pottstown, and several nieces and nephews, including Sherry Hornberger and Craig Jones.

Earl's favorite charities were the Hill School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and the Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Earl Fritz was truly, as it is said, "An officer and a gentleman" and was a dear friend to so many who will miss him.

Memorial Service is planned for March 31, 2017, at Indian River Colony Club's "Colony Hall" at 10:30 a.m. A Reception will follow the memorial service.

Earl's final resting place is at Florida Memorial Gardens, next to his beloved Jane; Rest in peace, Earl and Jane.