Obituary for Delmer Fitzgerald

Ponca City Now - April 1, 2017 9:02 am

Delmer Fitzgerald – Veteran

(September 7, 1925 – April 1, 2017)

Delmer Eugene Fitzgerald of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Saturday morning, April, 1, 2017, in the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home, Blackwell, Oklahoma, at the age of 91 years.

Delmer Eugene Fitzgerald was born on September 7, 1925, on the family farm near Medford, Oklahoma, to John Waldo and Edna Pearl (Ingram) Fitzgerald. He graduated from Lamont Public Schools and was inducted into the United States Navy in December of 1943. He was stationed aboard the USS Hamlin, a sea plane tender. He served in the Pacific Theatre during the Philippine liberation, battle of Okinawa, Iwo Jima and was present in Tokyo Bay during the ceremony of Japan’s surrender. He was honorably discharged on April 27, 1946, and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Medal with three stars. He married Georgia Lou Massie on February 15, 1948, in Peckham, Oklahoma, and they became the parents of three children; Susan, Jon and Becky. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was employed at Boersma Distributing, Blackwell Zinc Smelter and was engaged in farming. He was a member of the First Christian Church. He enjoyed farming, helping elderly family members with repairs and taking trips, and playing cards and pool with friends.

He is survived by two daughters, Susan Smith and husband Merle of Raton, New Mexico, and Becky Astle and husband Dale of Ponca City, Oklahoma; one son, Jon Fitzgerald of Huntsville, Alabama; one grandson, John Fitzgerald of Oroville, California; one brother, Loren Fitzgerald of Tonkawa, Oklahoma; and one niece, Ann O’Mealey of Tonkawa, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his wife Georgia and his parents John and Edna.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at the First Christian Church, Blackwell, Oklahoma, with Rev. Jeff Koch, First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will follow at the Blackwell Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the First Christian Church c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.