Edmond Boxley Fitzgerald III

Gretna……Edmond Boxley Fitzgerald III, age 89 of Gretna died Friday, May 19, 2017 at his residence. Born July 1, 1927 in Pittsylvania County he was a son of the late Edmond Boxley Fitzgerald Jr. and Winnie Dratt Fitzgerald. He was predeceased by a sister, Gertrude Willman. Mr. Fitzgerald was a Gretna native and after graduating from Gretna High School as Valedictorian during World War II, he volunteered for the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday. After training, he served in Europe as an enlisted man. He attended The College of William and Mary, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1949 and graduated in 1950 with a major in Mathematics. He joined the family business – Peoples Mutual Telephone Co. – in 1950. Peoples Mutual served the northern part of Pittsylvania County with dial telephone before dial service was available in Altavista, Chatham, or Danville. During his 50 years with the company, he helped it grow from one small exchange serving about 400 telephones (many with up to 10 on a single line) to over 7000 customers (all private lines). This growth was guided by Fitzgerald, his father, E. B. Fitzgerald Jr, and later by his son, his daughter and her husband. He served 28 years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Independent Telephone Association, served in various offices of that association, including President in 1971. He also served on various committees of the national telephone association. Rapidly changing technology made the telephone industry increasingly difficult for a small company to compete with the giant companies dominating the business, so the family sold the local business to one of the giants in 2000, hoping their customers could stay ahead. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gretna, which he served in many ways – several terms on the Board of Deacons with multiple years as Chairman. He taught Sunday School classes for 25 years, sang in the choir 65 years, and sang with the Fishermen and the Countrymen. He served three years as Moderator of the Staunton River Baptist Association and two terms on the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, and a term on the Virginia Baptist Homes Board. He has been on mission trips to Tanzania, Mexico and India. He was appointed to the Pittsylvania County School Board in 1971, served as vice chairman in 1976 and chairman from 1977 until 1983. He was appointed to the first Board of the Danville Community College in 1969, and served as vice chairman from 1974 to 1979. He served as a member of the Gretna Town Council, served several years as vice mayor and 6 months as acting mayor. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the local bank – Peoples Bank of Gretna, later United Virginia Bank, now American National Bank. He was active on the Gretna Chamber of Commerce where he served as President in 1959, was a 32nd Degree Mason and received his 60 year pin from Anderson Lodge 258 A.F. & A.M. He was the Chairman of the Ramsey Memorial Medical Center for 49 years, and served a term on the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region. He was selected by the Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce as the outstanding citizen of the year in 1984. He followed his dad's concern for the environment and was awarded the regional tree farmer of the year award in 1988. Throughout the many opportunities that arose, Mr. Fitzgerald appreciated, most of all, the wide range of friends who supported him so generously. He is survived by his wife, Emily Woodford Fitzgerald of the residence; one daughter, Ann F. Brown and husband, Kent of Gretna; one son, Ed Fitzgerald IV and wife, Angela of Gretna; two sisters, Winnie F. Smith and Rev. Sue Fitzgerald; four grandchildren, Rev. Robert F. Brown and wife, Karen, Rev. William F. Brown and wife, Erin, Victoria Fitzgerald and Ed Fitzgerald V; and three great-grandchildren, Sarah Brown, Luke Brown and Seth Brown. Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Gretna by Dr. Roy Ford. Burial with Masonic Rites by Anderson Lodge 258 A.F. & A.M. will follow in Gretna Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Gretna Mission Fund, P.O. 339, Gretna, VA 24557 or to the charity of your choice.Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.