RET MSG George Oliver Fitzgerald

George Oliver Fitzgerald passed away on February 27, 2019. George was preceded in death by Margot, his wife of 41 years, his brother Tommy and his sister Barbara Jean. He leaves his four sons and their wives George “Tommy” (Amy), Michael (Terry), Stephen, and Richard (Katy); grandchildren, Erin Fitzgerald, Emily Davis (Rusty), Lacey Fitzgerald, Logan Fitzgerald, Hunter Fitzgerald, and Cole Fitzgerald as well as great-granddaughters, Ally Vaughn and Lela Davis; sisters, Betty Henry, Joyce Sweeton, Judy Smith and his brother, Joe Fitzgerald to cherish his memory.

George was born in Owensboro, Kentucky. In his youth, the family moved to Huntsville, Alabama where he attended Farley School and Butler High School. He joined the US Army in 1956 where he served in the Army Security Agency in Berlin, Germany then later at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. George retired from the military at Redstone Arsenal as a Master Sergeant and proceeded in a second career at George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA). After retiring for a second time he continued in his service to others through Civitan International (Lakewood Chapter), VFW, American Legion, Eagles, CASA of Madison County and the Salvation Army. George was also commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky for outstanding service to our communities, states and nation. He tirelessly continued to give of his time to the Arc of Madison County Opportunity Center and he could always be counted on to be a Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army.

Visitation will be at Valhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Rd. NE, Huntsville, AL from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Saturday March 2nd, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

The family would also like to express our deepest thanks and recognize the friends and caregivers from Visiting Angels, Redstone Village, Floyd E. “Tut” Fann Veterans Home, and Hospice of North Alabama.