Jerry Wayne Fitzgerald “PaPa”, 67, of Nederland, died Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at his home; surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 4, 1945, in Port Arthur, TX, to Lillian Lumpkin Fitzgerald and Ocie George Fitzgerald. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and Lamar University. Jerry was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #450 for forty-five years, was a member of the South County Breakfast Lions Club for twenty-seven years, where he enjoyed cooking for the Nederland Heritage Festival. He was a lifelong resident of this area and served on the Nederland School Board for six years, and was a member of First Baptist Church Nederland since 1973. He owned and operated J&B Tractor and Dozer Service since 1980. Jerry loved to hunt, fish, and watch youth sports and activities; especially his grandchildren. He was an avid “Bulldog” fan and loved traveling to the playoff games. Jerry loved traveling, cruises and all special family vacations.
He is survived by his devoted wife of forty-eight years, Carol Fitzgerald of Nederland; son Brian Fitzgerald and his wife, Stacy, of Groves; daughter, Dawn Swindel and her husband, Brian, of Nederland; grandchildren, Kelsey and Karley Swindel, Braden Fitzgerald, Blake-Leigh Dockens, and Payton Davis; sister, Janell Reeves and her husband, Gayle, of Lumberton; a very “special” aunt, Joy Allen and her husband, Clifford, of Groves; loving sister-in-law, brother-in-law and care givers, Faye and Doug Smith, of Nederland; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 25, 2013, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 26, 2013, at First Baptist Church, 1911 Nederland Ave, Nederland, with interment to follow at Pedigo Cemetery in Town Bluff near Dam B.
Serving as pallbearers will be Douglas Dubose, Johnny Le Wallen, James Linscomb, Earl Darst, Kent Brown, Pat Smith, Phil Allen and Henry Franke. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Lumpkin, Doug Smith, Jimmy Addco, Andy Dunn, Rob Wilke, Jeremy McDuffy, Bobby Walker, Eudell Ryan, Royce Luke and Shane Reedy.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Foundation, MSC #900, P.O. Box 4332, Houston, TX 77210; American Heart Association; or American Cancer Society.
