James “Jim” Fitzgerald Obituary

 

“‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21

 

James “Jim” Fitzgerald, 87, of Eastland, TX, passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. Throughout his life, Jim was the perfect example of a servant leader, dedicating his time on this earth to bettering the lives of every single person he met. Jim married the love of his life, Jean Coates, on August 26, 1950. After joining the United States Navy, Jim proudly served our country in the Korean War. Jim graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1957 and in the years following, mentored hundreds of young people as a school teacher, football coach, wrestling coach, girls’ basketball coach, and even as the school principal at Westward Elementary School in Cisco, Tx. Jim “retired” in 1983, and accepted a position as the Dean of Students at Northeastern Christian Junior College in Villanova, Pa. where he also taught history and coached soccer. During that time, “Mr. and Mrs. Fitz” also served as dorm parents for the boys’ college dorm. As a dorm parent, Jim showed the young men under his care what it meant to walk with the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. Jim and Jean returned to Cisco in 1989 where Jim touched many more lives as a substitute teacher and truant officer. In 2013, Jim and Jean moved to The Woodlands Assisted Living where Jim liked to swap stories and jokes with the other residents. Throughout his life, Jim took on many roles, that of husband, father, "Daddy Jim", veteran, mentor, coach, teacher, friend. But none of these were more important than his role in Christ’s church. Jim was a faithful, lifelong member of the Church of Christ, serving as an elder for many years.

 

Jim is survived by his bride of 65 years, Jean Coates Fitzgerald and his sister Marie Alburger and her husband Frazier of Pine Hills, Nj. Jim is also survived by his four sons, Jim Fitzgerald and his wife Piper (Roanoke, Va.), Tony Fitzgerald and his wife Sheila (Beaumont, Tx.), Tim Fitzgerald and his wife Amy (Pelzer, SC), and Kevin Price and his wife Candee (Kountze, Tx.). He is survived by nine grandchildren: Tony Fitzgerald II and his wife Lauren, Matthew Fitzgerald and his wife Candice, Sabrina Price, Christopher Price, Maddison Fitzgerald, Jake Fitzgerald and Clayton Pickens. Jim is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Skyla, JJ, Lydia, Sam, Trey, Riley, Chris and Emmett. 

 

We will all miss Jim's sense of humor, warm demeanor and welcoming smile every day. But we are thankful that he is finally at home and at peace with his Heavenly Father. 

The family would like to thank the staff at The Woodlands Assisted Care for their love, care and concern for our dad!