Claude David Fitzpatrick II, age 79, passed away into the arms of our Lord Jesus on May 8th, 2023. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family love in Plano, Texas.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rita, who lovingly cared for him at home for five years, as he lived with the continual symptoms of Parkinson's. Claude's daughter, Lori Beach, and spouse Roger, his son, Claude "Fitz" Fitzpatrick III, and his daughter, Camela Fournier, and spouse RJ, as well as 9 beloved grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, will all miss his "bigger than life" personality and his love beyond measure. 

Claude was known by many nicknames in his life, such as his childhood nickname of Butch, to his military nickname of Chief, Fitz, and with family calling him Daddy, Pop, PePaw, and PapPap. Anyone that met him, could never forget him. He was loud, boisterous, energetic, upbeat, and spoke every sentence emphatically like it was a proclamation! We all loved that about him. He loved family get-togethers, and he believed in God, Family, and Country and taught his children and grandchildren that freedom is not free and voting is a patriotic duty and privilege. 

Claude joined the army and married his high school sweetheart, Rita, in 1962. He served well in assignments around the world, including Vietnam, Korea, Germany, and Italy, as well as various stateside assignments in New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia, and Fort Hood, Texas, where he then retired. He worked with government contracts for several years and then he and Rita relocated to Plano, Texas to be near family. After military retirement, Claude sold new homes for several homebuilders in the DFW metroplex and served as Commander of the VFW Post 4380, where he actively supported many events, including riding in the 4th of July parade to honor veterans.

Claude loved life, his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, extended family, his many friends at the VFW, and the multitude of friends that he and Rita were so blessed to meet and stay in touch with around the world. After his stroke and Parkinson's diagnosis, he continued to enjoy life, his "always by his side" dog, Hawkins, food and eating out, playing dominos with his nurse Esther, and watching game shows and westerns and of course, the family get together's, as the patriarch of an always growing family. Claude has left a legacy of love of family, God, and country and cherished memories that we all hold dear.  He taught us all and quoted many times, Do Not Quit.  We will never quit missing this man until we see him again in Glory. 

Keep Going

by Edgar Guest

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

And the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than it seems

To a faint and faltering man.

Often the struggler has given up when he

Might have captured the victor's cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are.

It may be near when it seems afar.

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit.

It's when things seem worst that

You mustn’t quit.

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