Thomas Fitzpatrick

Thomas Crede Fitzpatrick, 72, of West Terre Haute, passed away unexpectedly at 10:13 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Union Hospital Emergency Room, after collapsing at his home from a heart attack. He was born Dec. 16, 1942, in Terre Haute, to Crede G. Fitzpatrick and Lucille Joab Fitzpatrick. He was a graduate of Concannon High School class of 1960 and Purdue University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business Management. He married his wife, Cheryl Jean Fry Fitzpatrick on March 3, 1962, in Union Christian Church in Terre Haute. Together they owned and operated the Fitzpatrick Farm, where they concentrated on grain as well as being heavily involved in the beef cattle business. In his early years of farming, he was presented with the Jaycees Young Farmer Award. Over the years Tom has been a very strong supporter of the Vigo County 4-H program and has helped many young 4-H’ers achieve their dreams of learning the industry and showing various livestock in county, state, and national show circuits. He was all about encouraging kids to be involved in 4-H. He was a member of the Indiana State Fair Sale Of Champions Association, the Indiana State Fair Antique Tractor Association, Wabash Valley Antique Tractor Show, many beef cattle breed associations and he was a contributor to the Indiana Beef Cattle Association. He also was a member of the Wabash Valley Fair Board, Vigo County Area Planning Commission, West Terre Haute Masonic Lodge 687 Free & Accepted Masons, and had served as a Vigo County Councilman At-large. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Fitzpatrick; their four children, Roxane Vary and her husband Al of Charter Oaks, Iowa, Crede Fitzpatrick of West Terre Haute, Judy Fitzpatrick of West Terre Haute, and John Fitzpatrick and his wife Tammy of West Terre Haute; five grandchildren, Alison Vary, Weldon Vary, Blake Fitzpatrick, Bailey Fitzpatrick, and Braylon Fitzpatrick; a sister, Patricia Bredewater of Houston; an aunt, Helen Misner of West Terre Haute; many cousins; and many friends and fellow cattleman around the country. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Wade Thomas Vary; and a brother-in-law, Bob Bredewater. Funeral services for Tom will be 1 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2014, in Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 N. Third St., in West Terre Haute, with the Rev. Jeff Lee officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and prior to services Friday. The family suggests that if friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Vigo County 4-H Youth Program, Terre Haute Humane Society, Union Christian Church or Bethesda United Methodist Church with envelopes available in the funeral home.