Fred Fitzgerald Jr.

Mr. Fred Fitzgerald Jr., 45, of 3805 Poplar Valley Lane passed away on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro. He was born June 11, 1958, in Greensboro to Fred Fitzgerald Sr. and Carrie Crouch Fitzgerald. At an early age Fred confessed his life to Christ and joined Collins Grove United Methodist Church. As a youth, he was very active with the choir, usher board, youth retreat programs and the youth Bible study. After graduating from Western Guilford High School in 1976, Fred decided to join forces with the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Ord in California. After living out west and away from home for over 24 years, Fred decided that it was time to move back toward home and he made his residence in Winston-Salem. Fred joined Second New Bethel Baptist Church and later met Jacqueline Ratliff. They were making wedding plans for March 20, 2004. Fred was very active at Second New Bethel Baptist Church, where he served on the usher board, chaired the men's day committee as was an active Bible study scholar. Fred pitched in wherever he could. Fred was employed with Preferred Furniture Components, Inc., of High Point and enjoyed bowling at Creekside Lanes' Friday Night Mix with his team, "The Dream Catchers." Fred looked forward to assisting others in the community and there were no tasks that he had a problem tackling. Fred enjoyed a good challenge and was often referred to as the "handy man." His loved ones will miss him dearly. Preceding him in death was his brother, James Fitzgerald. Fred leaves to mourn him his fiancee, Jacqueline Ratliff; a son, Damion Fitzgerald of California; two daughters, Tanyeka (Donte') Morrison of California and Danielle Fitzgerald of Greensboro; four grandchildren, Brionna and Tavanntae' Morrison and Donavan and Devin Fitzgerald, all of California; his father, Fred Fitzgerald Sr. of Greensboro; his mother, Carrie Fitzgerald of Winston-Salem; a sister, Sharon (the Rev. Zavious) Pratt of Winston-Salem; two nephews, Corey Griffin and Melvin Griffin III; three nieces, Shantell (Jared) Maddox of Charlotte, Lisa Scaife' of Winston-Salem and Shenica Pratt of Charlotte; and three uncles, James (Evelyn) Crouch of Greensboro, Benny (Gertrude) Crouch of High Point and Troy (Pam) Fitzgerald of Winston- Salem. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. today, Jan. 30, at Second New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Zavious B. Pratt officiating. Interment will follow in Collins Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family visitation will be from 12:30 to 1 p.m. today at the church. (Russell)