Larry L. Fitzgerald

Larry L. Fitzgerald, 57, of Lufkin, was born November 8, 1951, in Nacogdoches County, Texas, the son of the late Bonnie Lee (George) and William Leroy Fitzgerald. He passed away Sunday, December 28, 2008, in a local hospice facility. Larry was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was proud of all his children and grandchildren. He never missed a Lufkin football game and proudly cheered on player #72, his grandson Hayden. His greatest wish was that his prayers would be granted for his grandson Adam to receive a kidney transplant. He is survived by his wife, Karen Fitzgerald of Lufkin; daughter, Kelli McCleskey and husband Ramiro Jasso, Jr. of Diboll; son, Christopher (Chris) Fitzgerald of Oklahoma and fianceŽ Karen Coleman, and her children, Weston, Seth and Beth; daughter, LeÕClare Linton and husband Brett Lawson of Lufkin; grandchildren, Hayden McCleskey, Adam McCleskey, Madison Linton, Camee Fitzgerald and Lillie Jasso; sister-in-law, Terri Denton of Lufkin; nieces, McKenzie Denton and Cori Denton, both of Lufkin; former daughter-in-law, Stacey Fitzgerald of Oklahoma; and numerous other nieces and other family members. Larry was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Karson McCleskey; and sister-in-law, Paula Smith. Pallbearers will be John Estes, Hayden McCleskey, Mickey Owens, Brett Lawson, David McCleskey, Pete Zapata, Matt Brevard and Joey Linares. LarryÕs family wishes to express their appreciation to the doctors and staffs of Woodland Heights Medical Center and Memorial Medical Center of East Texas, Ruth Nicholson of Woodland Heights ICU, and Hospice in the Pines for the love and care shown to him during his illness. Services for Larry will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2008, in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Rick Williams and Robert Grimes officiating. Graveside services will follow at 4 p.m. in the Shiloh Cemetery near San Augustine. Gipson Funeral Home; Joni Johnson, Director.