Dr. Tom passed away on October 30, 2014. He was born October 18, 1921 in Clarksville, VA. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Marion M. Fitzgerald and mother, Rosa Ann Sizemore Fitzgerald, as well as his beloved wife of 68 years, Ann Hethorn Fitzgerald.

He is survived by two sons and their wives, David Marion Fitzgerald (Val) and John Liipfert Fitzgerald (Lynn), three grandsons and their wives, Thomas Kirkland Fitzgerald (Catherine), Douglas Marion Fitzgerald (Kristin) and Michael Brandon Fitzgerald, three great grandsons, Clark Marion Fitzgerald, Jaymes Thomas Fitzgerald, and Wayne Kirkland Fitzgerald.

After high school where he excelled in baseball as well as swimming, he attended VPI in 1938. He continued with his athletics until graduation from dental school. He entered MCV School of Dentistry in 1940. After graduating in 1943 he was commissioned as First Lt. AUS Dental Corps. He joined the 373 Station Hospital and served in the Pacific Theater until September 1946. He was discharged with rank of Captain and opened his practice of dentistry in a community he grew to love. He practiced dentistry for fifty one years. He was a member and ruling elder of South Hill Presbyterian Church, a member and past president of South Hill Rotary Club since 1946, a member of American Legion Post 79, South Hill Lodge 297 A.F. & A.M., and member of O.K.U. Scholastic Fraternity. He belongs to and was a past president of Southside Dental Society, A Fellow of Virginia Dental Society, Life member of ADA and Fellow of the American College of Dentists.

Dr. Tom served as a town council member and vice mayor for 18 years. He served an appointed term on Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors. He was director of South Hill Industrial Development Corporation and the South Hill Industrial Development Authority. He was a founding director and first president of Woodfield Country Club, director of the founding board of South Hill Country Club, director and Board Chairman of Citizens Bank, Inc. until it merged with First Virginia Bank, South Hill where he was a board member and Chairman until he retired in 1996.

Ann and Dr. Tom enjoyed their philantropic efforts, small though they were, because it showed their love and regard for their home community.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted 1pm, Sunday, November 2, 2014 at South Hill Presbyterian Church by Rev. Sandra Libhart. The family request memorial considerations be directed to Presbyterian Home & Family Services, or Patrick Henry Boys/Girls Foundation.