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Dr Thomas Edmunds Fitz

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Birth	:	9 Apr 1921 Stoneville, Rockingham County, North Carolina, USA
Death	:	5 Jan 2016 Catawba County, North Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Smyrna ARP Church Cemetery, Smyrna, York County, USA
Coordinate	:	35.0404730, -81.4137940
Description	:	Please join us in celebrating the life of Dr. Thomas Edmunds Fitz of Hickory, NC. He died peacefully in his sleep on January 5, 2016, and has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. Born in Stoneville, NC, on April 9, 1921, Fitz was the youngest son of Marcellus Henry Fitz and Dolly Maie Gregory. He was pre-deceased by his parents and siblings, Mildred Fitz Somers, Mae Louella Fitz, Howard Fitz, Henry Fitz, Cecil Fitz, and JD Fitz. His son, William Roddey Fitz, also predeceased him. After growing up in Reidsville, NC, Fitz attended the University of North Carolina at... Read More	Please join us in celebrating the life of Dr. Thomas Edmunds Fitz of Hickory, NC. He died peacefully in his sleep on January 5, 2016, and has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. Born in Stoneville, NC, on April 9, 1921, Fitz was the youngest son of Marcellus Henry Fitz and Dolly Maie Gregory. He was pre-deceased by his parents and siblings, Mildred Fitz Somers, Mae Louella Fitz, Howard Fitz, Henry Fitz, Cecil Fitz, and JD Fitz. His son, William Roddey Fitz, also predeceased him. After growing up in Reidsville, NC, Fitz attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until he joined the US Army Air Corps shortly after the start of World War II, where he flew P-47 fighters and other aircraft. While serving as a flight instructor Sumter, SC, he met the love of his life, Frances Roddey Whitesides. Family and friends are well acquainted with the "story of the pink angora sweater" that left its mark on his uniform, causing him to fail inspection the next day. That failed inspection led to a date and eventually to their marriage on November 23, 1944. The story came full circle as she was wearing a pink sweater the day he passed. Shortly after VJ Day, Dr Fitz left the Army as a Captain and was re-enrolled at UNC-CH. In 1950, he received his medical degree from Duke University. Dr. Fitz practiced Internal Medicine and Cardiology in Hickory and was beloved by his patients. He was considered to be a Doctor's Doctor. Dr. Fitz was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology, a Member and later President of the NC Society of Internal Medicine, and a Member and later President of the NC Board of Medical Examiners. He also served as President of the Medical Staff and as a Board Member of Glenn R. Frye Memorial Hospital in Hickory, NC. Dr Fitz's public work twice attracted the North Carolina Governor's highest civilian honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. After practicing medicine in Hickory for almost 40 years, he retired and, along with his wife, he served as a medical missionary near Kananga, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Upon their return to Hickory, Dr. Fitz turned his attention to travel, woodworking and creating beautiful stained glass. Fitz was also a long time member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as both a Deacon and an Elder. Fitz is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Frances Whitesides Fitz; his son Thomas E. Fitz, Jr. (and his spouse, Margaret) of Athens, GA; his daughter Frances Fitz Gaines (Dennis) of Hickory, NC; his son Dr. John Gregory Fitz (Linda), of Dallas, TX; and his son Joseph Daniel Fitz II (Mario), of London, England. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Dr. Morgan Fitz McDonald (Brent); Anne Roddey Fitz Templeton (Shane); Sarah Margaret Fitz Griffith (Robert); Forest Fitz Gaines and Dennis Alexander Gaines (Nicole); Rebecca Fitz Tarre (Alejandro); Guy Gregory Fitz; Thomas Walker Fitz. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. We have been blessed by his legacy. We have fond memories of playing on Lake Hickory, hours of ACC basketball, and story-telling. We have been especially influenced by his integrity, faithfulness in fulfilling his sense of duty to God and family, service to others, dedication to his profession, and love of his family. The family will receive friends and well-wishers between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday, January 9, at the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 237 2nd Street, N.W., Hickory, NC 28601. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Smyrna ARP Church in Smyrna, SC. Source Citation: Bass-Smith Funeral Home

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Dr Thomas Edmunds Fitz's memorial?
Dr Thomas Edmunds Fitz's memorial is located at: Smyrna ARP Church Cemetery, Smyrna, York County, USA.
When did Dr Thomas Edmunds Fitz death?
Dr Thomas Edmunds Fitz death on 5 Jan 2016 in Catawba County, North Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Dr Thomas Edmunds Fitz's memorial?
Latitude: 35.0404730
Longitude: -81.4137940

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Frances Roddey Whitesides Fitz

(1919 - 2016)

Siblings

Children

William Roddey Fitz

(1951 - 1951)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Smyrna ARP Church Cemetery
Smyrna, York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0404730, -81.4137940

2. Mount Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery
Smyrna, York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0457993, -81.4111023

3. Canaan United Methodist Church Cemetery
Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0532990, -81.4135971

4. Smyrna Baptist Church Cemetery
Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0519280, -81.4225770

5. Stooping Pine Methodist Church Cemetery
Smyrna, York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0247640, -81.4412390

6. Broad River Baptist Church Cemetery
Smyrna, York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0248947, -81.4418259

7. Enon Baptist Church Cemetery
York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0611110, -81.3643050

8. Zoar AME Zion Church Cemetery
York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0851660, -81.4016940

9. Kings Mountain Preserve
Blacksburg, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0880742, -81.4171779

10. Smith Chapel Cemetery
Smyrna, York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0060990, -81.4600890

11. Divine Glory Ministries Cemetery
Blacksburg, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0851500, -81.4519100

12. Blalock Cemetery
Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0903015, -81.4408035

13. Hickory Grove Cemetery
Hickory Grove, York County, USA
Coordinate: 34.9857330, -81.4199840

14. Unity Baptist Church Cemetery
Hickory Grove, York County, USA
Coordinate: 34.9843570, -81.4289640

15. Ebenezer AME Zion Church Cemetery
Smyrna, York County, USA
Coordinate: 34.9872470, -81.3872590

16. Mullinax Family Cemetery
Kings Creek, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0988700, -81.4239700

17. Mountainview Baptist Church
York, York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0976327, -81.3923064

18. Wisher Cemetery
Kings Creek, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0575710, -81.4840950

19. John's Chapel Fire Baptized Holiness Church Cemete
Hickory Grove, York County, USA
Coordinate: 34.9801440, -81.4084310

20. Mullinax Cemetery
Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.1011009, -81.4253006

21. Nazareth Baptist Church Cemetery
Blacksburg, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0486180, -81.4932460

22. New Zion Untied Methodist Cemetery
Clover, York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0453606, -81.3317566

23. Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Blacksburg, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0971985, -81.4636002

24. Ramah Presbyterian Church Cemetery
York, York County, USA
Coordinate: 35.0856960, -81.3470020