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James W. (Jim) FitzPatrick, 90, passed away peacefully at home on March 19, 2024, in Venice, Fla.
He was born July 21, 1933, in Cherokee, to Maurice and Nora FitzPatrick, and died of Covid complications. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., April 18, at Epiphany Catholic Church in Venice.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret, and his second wife, Darlene.
Survivors include his children: Greg, Tom, Jill and Kathy; stepdaughter Tracey (Cory) Miller; brothers, Pat and Denny; grandchildren: Shane, Sophie, Cameron, Garrett and Rae; nephews: Ron, Sean, Robert and Michael; niece Joanie; close friends Jean Slusser and her daughter Pam Pirogowicz.
His rescued feline companion, Hubble, was always by his side. Jim and Jean faithfully watched their beloved Tampa Bay Rays play baseball, along with Seinfeld reruns, while Hubble contentedly purred away.
Jim spent his younger days in Storm Lake where he graduated from St. Mary’s High School and Buena Vista University. He received his master’s degree in musical composition from Drake University, Des Moines. He spent many years as a music teacher, then worked at the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Ill., as a federal computer programmer, before retiring to Florida.
Music was one of his great passions. He and his trombone played many gigs, in Iowa, and with fellow band members at Senior Friendship Center in Venice.
Jim was a true gentleman and scholar. One of his friends put it best: “What this old world sorely needs now is more Jim FitzPatricks.” Amen to that.
