Lawrence William Fitchett

Fitchett, Lawrence William

Larry Fitchett, a World War II single engine pilot and flight instructor for the Air Transport Command, a Green Bay native since his birth in 1917, wide-ranging athlete and husband to Midge Fitchett for 65 years, has died peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. He was 97.

Known by friends and family as a humble and direct man, Larry was an all-around athlete. At West High School he lettered in baseball, football and basketball and later became a distinguished member of the Green Bay Packers traveling basketball team in the early 1940s, often leading the team in scoring and playing with Packer greats Don Hutson, Cecil Isbell, Johnny Blood, Buckets Goldenberg, and Arnie Herber. A Green Bay Press-Gazette article noted a particular Packers game in which "Larry Fitchett led the Packers scoring with 21 points in a loss against the Kewaunee County teachers. The officials called the fouls closely, with Don Hutson getting four personal fouls in eight minutes and Bucket Goldenberg getting ejected for talking back to the referees."

Larry won numerous Green Bay YMCA Paddleball (Racquetball) championships, culminating in Larry and his doubles partner, Chuck Austin, winning the seventh annual National Paddleball Tournament in Minneapolis in 1968, without losing a game. Larry was also a club champion golfer at Crystal Springs Golf Club, and made seven holes-in-one all after the age of 50, with three occurring on hole 17 at Brown County Golf Course in consecutive years. Though he deemed it "unofficial" because he had no playing partner, Larry cherished his final hole-in-one at age 90 with his wife, Midge riding along in the cart.

Son of Caroline and William Fitchett, Larry grew up on the West Side of Green Bay and matriculated at Carroll College, graduating from Badger Business School in 1939. In 1942, Larry enlisted in the Army Air Force and trained as a single engine pilot in Lancaster, Calif. After a training injury in a plane crash, Larry transferred to Phoenix and served as a flight instructor for the Air Traffic Command until his honorable discharge in December 1945.

Larry married identical twin, Marjorie Wolfertz in May 1950, at Annunciation Catholic Church, where they were long time members. Midge and Larry were proud to be able to live together at their Allouez home, as nonagenarians, until last month.

Larry's early jobs included positions as a sales associate at Bertrand's Sporting Goods, associate at Kraft Foods, and Park Director and Softball Commissioner for the Green Bay Park System. He later became sales manager for WJPG Radio Station (formerly owned by Green Bay Press-Gazette) and was a proud member of the station's "25 Year Club." When the station changed ownership in the late 60s, Larry took up a position with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as an Election Examiner, where he worked from 1970 until 2002, retiring at 84 years old. Larry was presented the National Labor Relations Board Certificate of Service in 1989 and United States Associate General Counsel, Richard A. Siegel, commended Larry at his retirement ceremony in 2002. Larry was also proud of his work giving civil service and ASVAB tests to thousands of area high school students.

Larry was most proud of his Green Bay YMCA Christian Fellowship Man of the Year Award.

Larry is survived by his wife, Midge and family: his son, Terry (Denise VanDenHeuvel) and Terry's three children, Jason (Melanie), MacKenzie, and Alexandra, (Nathan Vice); his son, Tom (Cynthia) and their children, Jessica (Carlos Garcia), and Christopher (Candace); and his son, Rick (Karen) and their children, Kevin (Rachel Smith), Alicia (Ben Dunning), and Danny. Great-grandchildren include Will Fitchett, Dylan Garcia, Savannah Garcia, Madelyn Garcia, Taylor Garcia, Isabelle Garcia, and Avery Escobedo. Larry cherished following his children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's various successes in athletics, music, academics and business.

Larry and his family wanted to send special thanks to Unity Hospice for their great compassion and care in Larry's final weeks. Special thanks are also extended to his niece, Julie (Hennig) Biolo and John Biolo, to Deacon Tom Mahoney and his wife, Sue, and to Karen and Rick Fitchett for their special visits and care.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 pm, Saturday, Aug. 15, at St. John the Evangelist, 413 St. John St., Green Bay WI 54301. The Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2 p.m.

Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the family.

To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com