1924
Owen
2011
Owen Fitz Golden Fitzgerald
November 30, 1924 — December 12, 2011
Owen "Fritz" Golden Fitzgerald, age 87. Grandpa was given orders to go guard the Pearly Gates of Heaven on Dec. 12, 2011. He will be missed so much by everyone or anyone that ever met him there was never a stranger in his life. A viewing for family and friends will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18th at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 19th at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Payette. Condolences may be made to Owen's family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com
Owen was born Nov. 30, 1924 at a stage stop in Waterfall, WY to Henry and Annie Fitzgerald. He was the baby of nine children. In his childhood they moved to Idaho. He helped out at home in the garden and orchard. He lost his mother at the age of 14 so he grew up fast. Owen worked with his brother, Milton, on tree trimming in Boise. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1943. After graduation he went to work in the mine at Atlanta, ID. Owen was drafted into the Navy, not wanting to be in the Navy he told them he wanted to be a Marine and he got lucky, there was a spot in line for the Marine Corps. Two weeks later at the age of 19 he went to San Diego for 14 weeks of basic training, then after seven weeks at Camp Pendleton he left for M.C. Tarawa, HI. The 13th Marines, 5th Marine Division Fitzgerald, 4th Battalion Charlie Company loaded for combat. After six weeks at sea they reached the island of Iwo Jima. In the battle a mortar went off and deafened Owen for ten days. He gained his hearing back by another explosion.
In 1946, he was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart. After returning home he married Jacquelyn Riley in 1947. Living in Atlanta, ID they had Mike, Stan, and Linda Sue. Moving to Boise later he worked for Milogo Creamery in Caldwell then they moved to Payette where he worked at the creamery. They divorced in 1955.
Owen met Lela Debban at the creamery and they married in 1958; adding Carol, Patsy, Jim, and Linda Lee. Moving to Utah, he worked underground at the US Lark Copper Mine. They moved back to Payette where he drove milk truck. Years later he opened a second hand store at the end of the tire store. In 1974, Fritz and Lela bought the Treasure Valley Trading Post in Payette. When Ron and Tammy bought it in 1990 they retired in Fruitland at Neat Retreat.
He is survived by his children, Stan Fitzgerald (Velma) of Nampa, Linda Sue Bennett of Alaska, Pat Jacobs (Jake) of Payette, Jim Debban (Lorna) of Payette, and Linda Lee Kinney (Wayne) of Vale; 17 grandkids, 28 great grandkids, and 20 great-great grandkids. His wife Lela, son Michael Fitzgerald, daughter Carol Craft, and two grandsons preceded him in death.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Payette American Legion Post #33, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.
And when comes the day the old warrior's life fades away, the last battle done, life's victory won. That day in Heaven's scene on guard Corporal Fitzgerald, 5th Marines.
When: Sunday, December 18th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
When: Monday, December 19th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
Owen was born Nov. 30, 1924 at a stage stop in Waterfall, WY to Henry and Annie Fitzgerald. He was the baby of nine children. In his childhood they moved to Idaho. He helped out at home in the garden and orchard. He lost his mother at the age of 14 so he grew up fast. Owen worked with his brother, Milton, on tree trimming in Boise. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1943. After graduation he went to work in the mine at Atlanta, ID. Owen was drafted into the Navy, not wanting to be in the Navy he told them he wanted to be a Marine and he got lucky, there was a spot in line for the Marine Corps. Two weeks later at the age of 19 he went to San Diego for 14 weeks of basic training, then after seven weeks at Camp Pendleton he left for M.C. Tarawa, HI. The 13th Marines, 5th Marine Division Fitzgerald, 4th Battalion Charlie Company loaded for combat. After six weeks at sea they reached the island of Iwo Jima. In the battle a mortar went off and deafened Owen for ten days. He gained his hearing back by another explosion.
In 1946, he was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart. After returning home he married Jacquelyn Riley in 1947. Living in Atlanta, ID they had Mike, Stan, and Linda Sue. Moving to Boise later he worked for Milogo Creamery in Caldwell then they moved to Payette where he worked at the creamery. They divorced in 1955.
Owen met Lela Debban at the creamery and they married in 1958; adding Carol, Patsy, Jim, and Linda Lee. Moving to Utah, he worked underground at the US Lark Copper Mine. They moved back to Payette where he drove milk truck. Years later he opened a second hand store at the end of the tire store. In 1974, Fritz and Lela bought the Treasure Valley Trading Post in Payette. When Ron and Tammy bought it in 1990 they retired in Fruitland at Neat Retreat.
He is survived by his children, Stan Fitzgerald (Velma) of Nampa, Linda Sue Bennett of Alaska, Pat Jacobs (Jake) of Payette, Jim Debban (Lorna) of Payette, and Linda Lee Kinney (Wayne) of Vale; 17 grandkids, 28 great grandkids, and 20 great-great grandkids. His wife Lela, son Michael Fitzgerald, daughter Carol Craft, and two grandsons preceded him in death.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Payette American Legion Post #33, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.
And when comes the day the old warrior's life fades away, the last battle done, life's victory won. That day in Heaven's scene on guard Corporal Fitzgerald, 5th Marines.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: Sunday, December 18th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
Service
When: Monday, December 19th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
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