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James Fitzpatrick Obituary
happy death.
-Leonardo da Vinci
James Nelson Fitzpatrick, longtime principal of Kernersville Elementary School, died on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at his home in Kernersville, NC. He was 81.
He was born in Ila, Georgia on August 30, 1925 to Dallas and Mary Etta Smith Fitzpatrick. His family moved soon afterward to Asheville, NC where they lived and worked on the Biltmore Estate. He graduated from Biltmore High School in 1942 and entered the Army Air Corps. He received orders to report to the West Coast to head to the Pacific Theater but then received orders in San Francisco to return to New York where he was shipped to Brighton, England and was stationed there with the Eighth Air Force. Later he served until the war's end with the Fifteenth Air Force in Brindisi, Italy.
After the war, he received his BA and MEd. degrees from the University of Florida. He returned to North Carolina and began his career in education as a coach and dean of men at Brevard College. His career as a teacher, coach and principal in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools began in 1952 and included service at Clemmons, Rural Hall, South Fork and City View Schools. He was principal at Kernersville Elementary from 1965 until his retirement in 1983. His son, David Fitzpatrick, has served as principal of Kernersville Elementary School since 1992.
A member of VFW Post 5352, he was an avid golfer, gardener and gifted raconteur. He was famous for his home-baked sugar cookies, home grown vegetables and delicious jams.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Betty Jo Beeson Fitzpatrick of the home; a daughter, Joyce Lee Fitzpatrick and her husband, James E. Stewart, Jr. of Raleigh a son, David Nelson Fitzpatrick and his wife, Jan Baker Fitzpatrick of Kernersville. He also is survived by his four cherished grandchildren, Ruth Shore Stewart, Marietta Stafford Stewart, Cyrus James Fitzpatrick Stewart all of Raleigh and Kelsey Anne Fitzpatrick of Kernersville.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Hayworth-Miller-Cain Funeral Home, 141 Smith Edwards Road in Kernersville, NC.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2006, 65th anniversary of the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor, at 11 a.m. at Sedge Garden United Methodist Church, 794 Sedge Garden Road, Kernersville, NC 27284.
The family will receive friends again immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Kernersville Elementary School Childrens' Relief Fund, 512 W. Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC 27284.
Arrangements and cremation by Hayworth-Miller-Cain Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Fitzpatrick
Billy Whiteside
December 17, 2006
As a frighten young lad entering college from a rural area, Coach Fitzpatrick took me, as well as others like me, under his wing. He provided us with visions and directions that continues to this day. A selfless individual who gave his untiring efforts to helping and assisting others. Thanks a million, Coach.
Chaplain (COL) Billy M. Whiteside, USA (Ret.)
Penny Poole
December 8, 2006
My memory of Mr. Fitzpatrick I will cherish forever. He took me home each time I was sick in his own car when I was in the first grade. When he first saw me 22 years later, he still remembered me from Kernersville Elementary. He was a blessing to know and be around. We will miss him greatly!
Pamela Chambers
December 6, 2006
Dear Fitzpatrick Family,
I am praying for you as you go through this difficult time. Having taught at Kernersville Elem., I have heard many wonderful things about Jim Fitzpatrick and know first hand of the excellence of his son, David. God has given you precious memories and I'm sure you will always treasure them. God bless you.
In sympathy & prayer,
James Boitano
December 6, 2006
David, Joyce and Mrs. Fitzpatrick. While I was only able to meet Mr. Fitzpatrick a couple of times, I have heard others speak of him fondly. Please accept my great condolences for your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Lib Ashworth
December 6, 2006
Jo, You are in my thoughts. Lib Ashworth
Gary James
December 6, 2006
David and family members:
On behalf of of the WS/FCS HVAC Departmrnt,we would like to express our sympathies. Not everyone at Maintenance today had the pleasure of knowing and working with your dad as myself and a few others have. Our thoughts aand prayers are with you.
Betty Martin
December 6, 2006
My deepest sympathy is with the Fitzpatrick Family. I treasure my friendship with Jim while I was attending Brevard College and enjoyed seeing him at some of our Reunions at Brevard College.
Kathy Echols DuMoulin
December 6, 2006
David, Joyce and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, I was sorry to hear of Mr. Fitzpatrick's passing from my mother. I have such fond memories of him watching over all of us in elementary school. I will keep your families in my prayers.
Judy Coggins
December 6, 2006
Dear Jo and family,
I read the tribute to your husband, father, grandfather, etc.,in today's WS Journal, and it is easy to understand why he was so successful as an educator. He was obviously understanding, compassionate, and intelligent. Please accept my great condolences for your loss.
Melissa Hanson
December 5, 2006
There are not enough good things to say about Mr. Fitzpatrick. He was a blessing as a principal and man. I can still see him in Kernersville Elementary with his gentle smile and the thick head of gray hair and beard. Something about that face, about him assured me, your safe with him in charge. Though he may be gone from this earth, he will always be in the beautiful thoughts and memories of those who cherished him (family, friends, co-workers, and those like myself, former students). God bless you all. My prayers will be with you all.
In Gods Love,
Melissa (Davis) Hanson
Rodger & Inez Eckard
December 5, 2006
David and the Fitzpatrick family,
We were saddened to read about the passing of your dad. We hope you find comfort in knowing that others are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Charles Barnhardt
December 5, 2006
My sympathy to the Fitzpatrick family. Jim and I fought many an Army Air Foce battle while at Brevard.
Ellen Graham Cotton
December 5, 2006
I was saddened to hear of the passing of a wonderful person, friend and boss. To this day, he is still the BEST principal with whom I have had the pleasure of working. He would come in and teach the students. A rare find! He was also a good friend that helped us pick many strawberries :)
What a blessing he has been to many.
Rev. Mark Beasley
December 5, 2006
Dear David and family,
Sorry to hear of Mr. Fitzpatrick's passing. I know that you are hurting and I pray that God will give you strength during these times.
Phyllis Patterson Grubbs
December 5, 2006
My sincere sympathy to the Fitzpatrick family. May God give each one an extra portion of His wonderful grace, strength and comfort at this time and in the days ahead. I am a former student of Mr. Fitzpatrick's when he taught at Rural Hall School. Everyone thought so much of him, and he was such a good teacher. Years have gone by, and I didn't know where he had settled but am glad he still remained in Forsyth County. I will remember him as a very nice person that was good to all his students. May your precious memories of him linger in your hearts forever until you are reunited again.
Howard Sosne
December 5, 2006
My condolences and best wishes to the family. I worked with Jim from 1978-88 and had the greatest regard for his ability and integrity.
Tammy Lennon
December 5, 2006
I wanted the family of Mr. Fitzpatrick to know that he will be truely missed. This is one of his former students.
Lauren Sloan
December 5, 2006
Jim was the best friend I could have ever had. I could always go over to Jim and Jo's house and sit and talk for hours and just share many stories and memories with each other. Jim taught me many history lessons and always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I always knew that I could go and tell Jim something and it would always be kept a secret. I wish I had one more day to sit and talk to Jim. I will always miss you but you will always have a special place in my heart!
Brad, Sandra, Lauren and Heather Faulkner
December 5, 2006
We are so saddened by the passing of Mr. Fitzpatrick. So many loved and admired him as a principal, but we have been honored to have the chance to know the love and admiration that his family has for him. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
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