Donald Franklin Fitzner

Donald Franklin Fitzner

October 17, 2023, Donald F. Fitzner, 90, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife Marcia Fitzner and his daughters at his side. He passed peacefully after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Don and Marcia married in 1962 and resided in New Mexico all those years. They met in a Methodist church in Albuquerque and have remained loyal members ever since. They had three kids, Robert, Dottie, & April.

They have called New Mexico home and they have enjoyed unparalleled views of sunsets and for Don, sunrises.

Don, the eldest of seven children, was born on August 12, 1933, to Herman and Lucille Fitzner in Logan, New Mexico. His early jobs, which he held down while in school, included working a ranch, farming, and helping his parents at their store. In 1951, he graduated from Logan High School and went on to serve in the U.S.Navy during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955 and served on the USS Caliente. Don was an Ammunition Forman and earned decorations medals, badges and commendations for United Nations, Korean Service, China Service, National Defense and Good Conduct Medal. Don was officially honorably discharged in May 1957. While in the Navy, Don took private classes and earned a private pilot's license. In 1957 Don joined the U.S. Army Reserve.

When Don returned home from his military service, he pursued a Bachelor's degree at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. He graduated August 7, 1959 with a Bachelors of Arts in Education and received a department of education teaching certificate in Industrial Arts and Agriculture. Don was a Vocational Electricity Instructor at the Albuquerque Indian School starting in 1959 and remained there until 1967.

In October of 1967 Don volunteered to go to Vietnam. He was assigned with the Agency for International Development. He was a Trade/Industrial Education Advisor. His job was to create a refugee vocational program. On one of his evaluation forms, his supervising officer (Thor H. Kuniholm) stated that Don achieved more during his four months than most American Advisory might hope to achieve during a full tour. By his perseverant, conscientious, and resourceful response to various difficulties, he succeeded where a less dedicated Advisor might have thrown up his hands in despair. Kuniholm stated that Mr. Fitzner is, above all else, a man of action, not of words, who concentrated on results rather than reports. He traveled extensively into the northern provinces finding himself on several occasions under enemy fire. Reviewing officer MeLendon states that Mr. Fitzner traveled throughout the provinces of I Corps Tactical Zone without regard to his personal safety. He has pursued his job with energy and vigor. He has been untiring in his efforts.

While in Vietnam Don was caught up in the Tet Offensive and was almost killed. He was able to join up with all the other surviving CORDS personnel. There Don served as a watch team leader. Don received a citation and medal from Captain Sloan, USMC with the Marine Amphibious Force. Captain Sloan stated that Don was always alert and enthusiastic, a fact which is largely attributable to his leadership capabilities. Mr. Fitzner's team was well organized and informed and ready to be employed in the event of enemy contact.

Don returned to the states and started teaching electric vocational trades at the Honor Farm in Belen, N. M. His family was still living in Albuquerque. Don and Marcia decided that moving to the country might be best for raising kids. In 1971 they moved to Estancia, N.M. Don still had his pilot license and a small two seater airplane. For a while he flew from Estancia to Belen. Eventually, Don started his own business, Don's Electric. During this time he earned his Master Electrician Status.

Don was always intrigued by his grandfather. He told stories to anyone who would listen about the amazing adventures he had while engineering a steam locomotive. Don has done extensive research on his grandfather and has traveled to Alaska several times to explore the history of train steam engines and the Klondike Gold Rush. It was because of his grandfather that the family became Methodists. His grandfather was so impressed by the volunteer work of the young women from the Sunshine Girls organization.

Another hobby Don had was working on ground breaking research for wind generation. Don worked with Dr. Job Ebenezer from UNM and received two patients on his creations.

Don received an honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces with a ranking of Sergeant First Class in 1970 and from the Army Reserve in 1980.

Don was a dedicated family man and loved to take his family fishing and picnicking up in the Manzano Mountains. Don worked hard everyday and always provided for his family. Don was kind to everyone and many times too generous. He would help out anyone, pick up hitchhikers, anyone stranded on the road... It was rare that the family had a holiday without someone in need invited.

Don retired and spent time ranching near Willard, N.M. In 2018, due to Don's illness, Don and Marcia moved to Albuquerque to be near April.

Don's spiritual journey was strong and steady. He never doubted but was always so humble that he had to be reminded, especially in the later years, that he had a place in heaven. As a young person, he made a profession of Christian faith and was active in the church, he never left behind the teachings of the bible. Don was a strong supporter of the Methodist's Children's Home and enjoyed yearly trips to Waco, TX to visit the boys. Don was a principled man of integrity.

Family He Left Behind

Don is survived by wife Marcia Fitzner, children Robert Fitzner, Dottie Garcia, and April Fitzner. Grandchildren, Josh Dickman, James Dickman, Jennifer Serovy, Stephanie Krusemark, and Ryan Garcia.

As mentioned, Don is the eldest of seven children. He leaves three siblings, they include brothers Dale & Gerald Fitzner, and sister Susie Dover.