Dr. Edwin L.”Doc” Fitzpatrick, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 8th at St. Mark’s Hospital in La Grange, Texas, after a brief illness.
He was born on November 26, 1925 in East Jordan, Michigan to Leroy Edwin and Kittie Helen (Greenman) Fitzpatrick. His family later moved to Flint, MI where he attended public school. At the age of 16, Doc quit high school and ran away from home seeking adventure. In August 1943 he enlisted in the Navy and served on the Landing Ship Medium (LSM) 40 for three years as an Electrician’s Mate, Second Class, with deployments to Japan, Philippines, and many parts of the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in May 1946 and at that time returned to Flint Northern High School and applied for a high school diploma, receiving credits for all the naval service schools he had attended. He married Joan Ruth Elliott on June 7, 1947 in Flint and attended Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indianapolis graduating in 1951. Doc, Joan, and son David moved to Texas, settling in La Grange in 1953. Doc served La Grange and the surrounding area as a chiropractor for many years, treating three generations of families until his retirement in 1991. A cornerstone of the community -- he was one of the founding members and one of the first board presidents of Frisch Auf Valley Country Club, held multiple offices in Lion’s Club, was an elder at First Presbyterian Church, was a member of the American Legion, and was a fixture at social functions with his keen wit and humor.
Dr. Fitzpatrick was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Marilyn and Mary Lou, and infant daughter Pamela Kay. He is survived by his wife Joan, daughter Deborah Behringer, sons David and wife Debbie, Michael and wife Diana, and Marc and wife Stephanie, all of La Grange; grandchildren Jon and wife Susan Fitzpatrick of Buda; Ryan and wife Christyna Fitzpatrick of La Grange; Jenna Miller of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Kimberly and husband Rodney Stokes of La Grange; Megan and husband Sergio Meneses of Clarksville, Tennessee; Brynn Fitzpatrick of College Station; Matthew Fitzpatrick of La Grange; Darby, Emma, and Kate Fitzpatrick of La Grange; great-grandchildren Ashley, Bryce, and Jason Fitzpatrick; Cierra and Caidon Fitzpatrick; Jasmine and Hannah Holman; Travis and Caleb Stokes; and Adrian and Sofia Meneses.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at La Grange City Cemetery at 10:30 Saturday morning, November 14th officiated by Reverend Dr. Gerald B. Hurst. Per Doc’s wishes, memorials are requested to be made to the Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter or First Presbyterian Church of La Grange.