James Edward Fitzmorris Jr.

1921 - 2021

James Edward Fitzmorris, Jr. passed away on Wednesday June 30, 2021 at his daughter's home in Slidell, Louisiana after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. Born on November 15, 1921 a lifelong resident of New Orleans he was proceeded in death by his beloved wife of fifty years, Gloria Madeline Lopez Fitzmorris, his parents, Romolia Hanning Fitzmorris and James Edward Fitzmorris, Sr., his sister Florence Fitzmorris Simno and his brother, Norris Vernon Fitzmorris. He is survived by his daughter Lisa Fitzmorris Clement and son in law Bruce William Clement. His granddaughters Madeline Gloria Clement and Meredith Rose Clement along with his great grandchildren Emersyn Lynley and James Fitzmorris. Raised in the Broadmoor area of New Orleans, he was educated at St. Matthias Elementary School, a proud graduate from the Class of 1939 from Jesuit High School and studied at Loyola University. During his college years he was drafted into the United States Army to serve in World War II and quickly rose from a Private to a Major. He went to work at 17 years old for the Kansas City Southern Railroad as a messenger boy, ultimately becoming Vice President of the railroad. He continued as a consultant to the railroad until the time of his retirement at age 96. He entered the New Orleans political scene in 1953 as a City Councilman and later as Councilman At-Large. In 1972, he was elected Lt. Governor of Louisiana and served as President of the State Senate. In 1984, he opened Fitzmorris and Associates, a real estate business and consulting firm, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement in 2018. Throughout his years of community service in the Greater New Orleans Area he received hundreds of honors and awards. Among the most beloved were his honorary degree as a Doctor of Humane Letters from Loyola University, the Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award, Silver Beaver Award, the Order of St. Louis IX medallion from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Pillar of the Community award from the Boy Scouts of America and the Jesuit High School Alumnus of the year, the Leadership Award from the Leukemia Society. He served on numerous boards, organizations and memberships including Boy Scouts of America, United Fund/United Way of Greater New Orleans, A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, March of Dimes, Sugar Bowl, Chamber of Commerce of Greater New Orleans, President of the Young Mens Business Club, Childrens Hospital, member of the Knights of Columbus for 75 years, a Eucharistic Minister at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Founding Board Member First Bank and Trust, Navy League, New Orleans Museum of Art, The Audubon Institute, The New Orleans Traffic Club, Travelers Aid Society, Founding member of the men of Fashion, Inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame, just to name a few. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Louis Cathedral 615 Pere Antoine Alley (across from Jackson Square) on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:00 PM with Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, D.D., Archbishop of New Orleans, as celebrant. Interment will be private. Visitation at the cathedral from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. An Ancient Order of Hibernians Ritual will be held at 12:20 PM followed by a Service of Remembrance at 12:30 PM. In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions to the Boy Scouts of Southeast Louisiana, 4200 I-10 Service Rd. Suite 101 Metairie, LA 70001 or a charity of your choice are preferred. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Jacob Schoen & Son, 3827 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70119. To view and sign the guest book, visit www.schoenfh.com.