James Brendan Fitzgerald

Our dear Jim died on August 18-- grateful for the kind medical professionals who cared for him, appreciative of the beautiful world he had to leave at the age of 62, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his parents, Thomas and Marian Fitzgerald of Maryville TN, his brother Sean Fitzgerald (wife Cathy Davis) of Durham NC, and his son Mark Fitzgerald (wife Melissa) of Clearwater FL.

Jim was a 30-year veteran of the US Coast Guard, with tours of duty including Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Cape Hatteras, the International Ice Patrol, and support from the Azores and Scotland during the Gulf War. Achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer, he ran aviation electronic maintenance for most aircraft flown by the USCG, with focus on C-130’s and lifesaving search and rescue operations.

Even after 30 years of spanning the globe, Jim always had a special place in his heart for East Tennessee, hiking in the Smokies and choosing to retire to be close to his family in his beloved mountain home.

Everyone who knew Jim loved and admired him. He put the needs of others ahead of his own. He was independent, pragmatic, thoughtful, cheerful, and whimsical. He loved nature and also humankind-- despite our shortcomings. The world is a better place because he was here.

Those wishing to honor Jim with a memorial gift may consider Sacred Ground Hospice House in Knoxville, or a charity that funds cancer research, or the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

--The family of James Fitzgerald