Thomas Edward “Fitz” Fitzpatrick was born in Kalamazoo, MI on November 23, 1930. He was the oldest of two sons to Joseph Fitzpatrick and Susan Bestervelt. Fitz grew up in Kalamazoo, graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1948. While growing up, Fitz was an avid baseball player and all-around athlete. His passion for baseball culminated with winning the 1947 Hazen “Ki Ki” Cuyler Trophy as Michigan’s Most Valuable American Legion Junior Baseball Player at the state tournament.
Fitz had always dreamed of going to West Point, being influenced by his uncle and boyhood hero Jim Bestervelt, West Point Class of January 1943. In 1948, he entered West Point, where he continued his passion for baseball, while B-2 and West Point shaped the person and military officer he became for the rest of his life. He played baseball all four years at West Point and was the captain of the Army Baseball Team his senior year. A special moment that year was meeting President Harry S. Truman prior to the annual Army-Navy Baseball Game and receiving an autographed baseball and picture with him.
Commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry in 1952, his first assignment was with the 25th Infantry Division in Korea, where he served as a platoon leader and company commander. This was highlighted by seeing Marilyn Monroe during her visit to Korea in 1953. In 1955 he was stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station, where he met Leone Brisben, the love of his life, whom he married in 1956. Lee was a USN lieutenant and outranked Fitz when they met, before having to leave the Navy in 1959 upon having Tom Jr. Fitz and Lee later were back in Michigan, where Fitz served as a ROTC professor at Michigan State while receiving his Master of Arts degree in 1963. From there it was off to Naples, Italy, where Fitz served as the aide-de-camp to the Chief of Staff for NATO South until 1965. While in Naples, their second son, Douglas (named after MacArthur), was born.
From Italy, Fitz and the family headed back to the States prior to his heading to Vietnam. Fitz’s first year there was at HQ MACV, with his final six months as a battalion commander with the 1st Infantry Division. Upon returning from Vietnam in 1969, Fitz and family moved to Annandale, VA, where he attended the National War College before heading back to West Point in 1971. Fitz first worked as the SGS then as commander for the 4th Regiment, and he spent the last two years as Deputy Commandant. His time at West Point was highlighted by preparing for the first class of female cadets, which entered in 1976. In 1975, Fitz and family were off to Fort Lewis, WA, where he commanded the 3rd Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division. In 1976, it was overseas again to Korea with the family, where Fitz was Deputy Chief of Staff, 8th U.S. Army. In 1978, Fitz and the family headed to his last assignment, post commander of Fort Meade, MD. Finally, in July 1981, after 33 years in the U.S. Army, Fitz retired.
His awards and decorations over his years of service include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, Distinguished Service Medal, three Silver Stars, three Purple Hearts, three Legions of Merit, Bronze Star for valor, five Air Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm.
Fitz and Lee went on to enjoy the next 38 years of retirement together, first in Melbourne, FL and then in Annandale, VA. Upon renovating their rented townhouse of 20 years and selling it, they were off to Del Webb’s Sun City in Las Vegas, NV. After enjoying Las Vegas for a bit, it was back to Melbourne, this time to enjoy a house close to the beach in Indialantic. After enjoying the beach for a while, it was back to Vegas and Del Webb’s Sun City again in 2003 for the next 16 years. During this busy retirement period, Fitz and Lee enjoyed traveling to see their two sons and grandkids, their friends, and going back to San Francisco, where they met and married, often staying at the Presidio.
Throughout his career, Fitz remained active in baseball and softball, playing on various military teams. He also stayed active in youth activities, serving as manager and coach of various youth baseball teams and as commissioner of Youth Baseball and Football Leagues and on the Maryland State Council for Boy Scouts of America. In retirement, he also served on various boards, including the Board of Directors of Homeowner Associations in Virginia and Nevada.
Fitz and Lee moved to Fort Worth, TX from their beloved Las Vegas in March 2019 to be close to son Tom Jr. and his family. Unfortunately, Fitz broke his hip in September 2019, which ultimately led to his passing at the age of 89 on December 2, 2019. Fitz is survived by his wife of over 63 years, Lee; and their two sons, Tom Jr. and his wife, Gail, in Hudson Oaks, TX, and Douglas and his wife, Ana, living in Fairfax, VA. Fitz was also the grandfather to Kylie, Thomas J., Cian, and Ava, along with being the great-grandfather of Thomas J. Jr.
Fitz loved West Point. His life epitomized what West Point stands for. May he rest in peace. Upon her passing, Fitz and Lee will both be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery.
— Lee Fitzpatrick and Tom Jr.