James F. Fitzgerald

James Frank Fitzgerald, age 71, of Azle, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 26, 2015. James (Jim) was a loving husband, father, grandfather and cherished friend to many. Jim was born in Plains, Texas, to Maynard and Pauline Fitzgerald on January 28, 1944. He grew up in Anson, Texas, and graduated from Abilene High School in 1962. He attended Tarleton State University and graduated with a degree in Chemistry. He was a cowboy and loved to ride bulls in his youth. After college, he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Highway Patrol Officer. He spent the next 40 years working in the oil and gas industry as a metalurgist engineer and consultant. He had a passion for traveling and worked all over the world during his career. Jim also loved cooking for others and competing in barbecue cook offs.

He had three loving children with LaGaytha Fitzgerald: Colin Fitzgerald, Heather Beadle and Jenelle Milam. He married his loving wife, Sandra Fitzgerald, on March 15, 2013.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Pauline; his brother Gerald; his daughter Heather Beadle; and granddaughter, Coral Fitzgerald.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandra; son, Colin Fitzgerald and wife Candace, of Corpus Christi; daughter, Jenelle Milam, and husband Carl, of Midland; son-in-law, Brandon Beadle; granddaughters, Cailean, Kamryn, Kaylor; grandsons, James, Layton and many close friends he considered family.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family suggests donations made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.cff.org).

Condolences may be offered at www.resrthavenfuneralhome.com.