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Fred Fitzgerald Obituary

Fred Fitzgerald

Fred "Fritz" B. Fitzgerald, Jr., 96, of Apalachicola, Florida died peacefully at his home on December 7, 2022. Born to Veneita and Frederick Fitzgerald, Sr. in Opelika, Alabama on February 11, 1926, Fred moved with his family to Apalachicola, FL in 1941, where his father was the editor-in-chief of the local newspaper, The Apalachicola Times. Fred had two sisters whom he adored: Smiles and Sally.

After serving in the US Navy during World War II, he attended the University of Florida - on the campus of Florida State College for Women, where he met the love of his life, Jean Pratt. The story goes that Fred was playing basketball and saw Jean in the stands and declared then and there that he would marry her! Fred and Jean were married on July 5, 1947; theirs is one of the greatest love stories ever told. A verse from the song "Oh, Promise Me," sung at their wedding, beautifully captures all 75 years of their marriage:

"Oh promise me, that you will take my hand,

the most unworthy in this lonely land,

and let me sit beside you, in your eyes

Seeing the vision of our paradise.

Hearing God's message while the organ rolls,

Its mighty music to our very souls.

No love less perfect than a life with thee;

Oh promise me, oh, promise me!"

After Fred graduated from his other great love, the Auburn University School of Pharmacy in December, 1949, he worked for a year at McGee Bros. pharmacy in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1951, he became a sales representative with ER Squibb & Sons and Fred, Jean, and their first child, Judy, lived briefly in Greenwood, Mississippi before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. There he met Mack Means and together they opened Medical Center Pharmacy in Hickory, North Carolina. Fred never met a stranger and treated everyone he met with compassion and empathy he treated his customers just like family.

Fred and Jean's family grew with the birth of their children, Steve, Pam, and John. While in Hickory, Fred, Jean, and their children were members of St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Fred retired from Medical Center Pharmacy in 1974 and he and Jean moved to Apalachicola, Florida where he continued some part-time pharmacy work and enjoyed his life with Jean, their family, and friends. Fred and Jean were members of the First United Methodist Church in Apalachicola. He loved the ocean, the golf course, and Auburn football - in reverse order. He knew everything there was to know about Auburn football and was known to subject his grandchildren to countless hours of recorded games on VHS. He had recently taken up grilling and was well on his way to becoming an accomplished grill chef. He had a long and successful Pharmacy career, but he would say that his most valuable accomplishments were his family, who never doubted his love for them. He loved to share stories and his family loved to hear them. He told the worst jokes, but his delivery still made people laugh. More than anything, he treasured Jean.

Fred was preceded in death by his precious grandson, Austin Fitzgerald; sisters: Smiles Randolph and Sally Howell; and niece, Reba Braswell. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Jean and his four children: Judy Drum of Bessemer City, NC; Steve Fitzgerald (Catherine) of Southport, NC; Pamela Dent (Arthur) of Trappe, MD; and John Fitzgerald (Andrea) of Tucson, AZ. His legacy also currently includes eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

Fritz was beloved to so many and has more than left his mark on the lives of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be carried and celebrated and remembered for always.

Funeral services were held Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. EST First United Methodist Church, 75 5th Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a donation to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Apalachicola Times from Dec. 30, 2022 to Jan. 5, 2023.

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