It is with heavy but hopeful hearts that the family of James Richard FitzGerald, age 91, of Pearl, MS, announces his passing. James went to be with the Lord at UMMC on June 4, 2019. He was born in Salem, MA on March 14, 1928 to Anna and James E. FitzGerald. He attended Essex Agricultural High School.
James married Gaye Pogue of Jackson, MS on September 5, 1959. He was a proud member
and usher at New Life Christian Fellowship. He also served as the Post Commander of VFW
2359 in Danvers, MA from 1963-1964.
His eldest granddaughter fittingly summed up His life with this tribute:
“Well done, good & faithful servant!”
Words I know my Papaw heard, Tuesday morning, as he passed into glory.
He was a man of dignity, a man who did what was right no matter what. He never spoke ill of anyone, no matter what had happened between them. He became head of his family at 16, stepping into a role of responsibility and duty, having to quit the agricultural school he so dearly enjoyed. He served our nation as a Marine and fought in the Korean War. He worked two jobs and raised a fine family.
Family has always been at the core of who this man was. The simple things in life were his riches. The smell of fresh wood shavings, cigar smoke, and coffee will forever be the smell of my Papaw. At the age of 91, his mind and his memory were infallible. A storyteller and a lover of history, we spent many hours talking both of family history and historical events--the Civil War being a favorite for us both. A fine meal prepared at home out-shined any store bought feast, in his opinion. He lived a life full of challenges, but let none of them define him. He found the positive where any other person would only find despair. He was gratitude personified.” MB
James is survived by His wife Judith Gaye FitzGerald, and his three sons: James A. FitzGerald
(Amanda) of Florence, MS, William Joseph FitzGerald (Heather) of Azle, TX, and Paul Thomas
FitzGerald (Pam) of Hattiesburg, MS. He will be lovingly remembered by his eleven grandchildren: Tyler FitzGerald, Cameron FitzGerald, Conner FitzGerald, Mckenzie Brown,
Garrett FitzGerald, Delaney Dipnarinesingh, Olivia FitzGerald, Brady FitzGerald, Sommer FitzGerald, Abigail Thornton, and Daniel FitzGerald. He also greatly enjoyed his seven great grandchildren. James is also survived by siblings, Loraine Krisko of Exeter, NH, Carole Carter of Bolivia, NC, and Leonard FitzGerald of Greenland, NH.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Powers FitzGerald and James E. FitzGerald of Salem MA, brothers Robert FitzGerald and Edward FitzGerald of MA, and sister Dorothy
Hirka of Frederick, MD.
Services will be held at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home Hwy 80E Pearl, MS on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 10:00 am. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, June 7, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, and again on Saturday from 9:00 to 10:00 am.
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