James Gary Fitzpatrick

Birmingham, Alabama – James Gary Fitzpatrick was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend and veteran. He went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, September 16, 2023 where he joined his wife of over 48 years and numerous other family members and friends. Born to Clarence and Vera Fitzpatrick on June 15, 1938. Gary was an only child for almost 8 years and then his parents gave him 3 sisters, Beverly June, Judy Darlene and Carla Jane. He always said “life was good until those sisters came along”. Gary joined the United States Navy in March of 1955 where he was on a ship for most of his tenure with the Navy. He was designated to communicate with the other ships by using morse code through a light system. Gary met his future wife, Sue, in 1957 while they both were living in Beckley, West Virginia where after only two weeks of courtship he proposed to her and they got married shortly thereafter. Gary was an active member of First Baptist Church of Center Point for over 60 years where he was an ordained deacon and also helped initiate the church’s first Bus Ministry that provided transportation to hundreds of children in and around the Center Point, Alabama area. He was a dedicated member and actively served in many capacities over his long-term church membership. Preceded in death by his parents, James Clarence Fitzpatrick, Vera Eulamae Peoples Fitzpatrick and son, James Thomas Fitzpatrick. Gary is survived by his two daughters, Debra Ann Fitzpatrick Stamps (Keith) and Deitra Leigh Fitzpatrick Dunn (Charles) along with his three sisters, Beverly June Fitzpatrick Cook, Judy Darlene Fitzpatrick and Carla Jane Matthes. He was a wonderful grandfather to Casey (28), Riley (27), Courtney (25), Bryan (35) and Noah (25). He was a great-grandfather to Mercy James (1) who is also his namesake, Sadie (10) and Brayden (16). The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home (5360 Deerfoot Parkway, Trussville, Alabama) with funeral services to follow. Burial services will be held afterwards at Hopewell Baptist Cemetery in Pinson, Alabama. If desired, friends may make contributions to the Colonel Robert L. Howard Veterans Home located at 7054 Veterans Parkway, Pell City, Alabama.

James Gary Fitzpatrick

June 15, 1938 - September 16, 2023