Henry Lowell Fitzgerald

Henry “Lowell” Fitzgerald, 87, of Dana Point, California, left this earth and went to be with the Lord on May 31, 2023 in Friendsville, Tennessee. Lowell was an idea man, enthusiastic about life, and determined to “finish strong”.Lowell was born in Port Arthur, Texas on September 5, 1935. He was adopted by John and Rubine Fitzgerald. He attended several different elementary schools before attending Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur. During his sophomore year Lowell met Jeanine Crawford in Latin class. One day when the teacher called out Jeanine’s exemplary test score, Lowell turned around in class, looked at Jeanine and thought, “This is going to be serious”. Thus began a romance of a lifetime. Lowell went on to serve two years in the army from 1954 - 1956. He was very proud of his service. On June 1, 1957 Lowell and Jeanine Crawford were married. They moved to Austin, Texas where Lowell continued his education at the University of Texas graduating with a degree in chemical engineering. Lowell enjoyed a career working for Uncle Ben’s Rice in Houston, Bush Brother’s Cannery in Chestnut Hill, Tennessee, and Mars Incorporated in southern California. After retirement, not one to be idle, Lowell and Jeanine bought a bakery in Orange County, California and proceeded to be the proprietors of a successful business for the next fifteen years. In high school in Port Arthur Lowell had perfected his excellent baking skills while working for Murphy’s Cake Shop. All his life he enjoyed baking and cooking. His pie crusts were unparalleled! Lowell loved sailing and spent many hours sailing off the California coast. Lowell and Jeanine enjoyed traveling the world especially to Tennessee and Tahiti. As a child Lowell dreamed of visiting Tahiti and he and Jeanine were fortunate enough to visit the beautiful islands over twenty times. Jeanine says her life has been much more adventurous being married to Lowell. In the early seventies a good friend introduced Lowell to Boomer. He loved the land from the first time he saw it. They bought the land, built a cabin, and planted Christmas trees. It was his dream to build a log cabin home on the mountain and dreams do come true. Within the last couple of years, Jeanine and Lowell have enjoyed many days in their new home in the beautiful surroundings that God created. Lowell was a faithful believer in the Lord and served until the end of his life. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church, served with Gideons International distributing Bibles, was a longtime volunteer with a jail ministry in Orange County, California and served with a hospital visitation ministry. For the past fifty years Lowell was an avid runner, completing two marathons. He was an excellent chess player. Lowell loved visiting his family in Galveston and Louisiana, and he always looked forward to the large family gatherings. He also loved the delicious crawfish, oysters, crab and other seafood in those areas. Lowell is preceded in death by his parents Mamie Christie, John and Rubine Fitzgerald, his sister and brother Ada Meyers and Morris Christie and his beloved granddaughter Aubrey Elizabeth Runsick. Lowell is survived by his devoted wife Jeanine, his children, John Fitzgerald (Anne), Charisse Thompson (Jeff), Ava Kwasniewski (Jeff), and James Fitzgerald (Toija); eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sisters Camille Bourgeois, Colleen Steinbach, Frieda Lynn, Tina Minter, Victoria Christie, and brother Wallace Christie and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Lowell’s family was a great source of pride and he loved each and every one. Visitation will be 12 noon until 3 pm on Monday June 5, 2023 at Manes Funeral Home, 363 East Main Street, Newport, Tn 37821. Graveside burial services 11 am Tuesday June 6, 2023 in the Fitzgerald Family and Friends Cemetery, Del Rio, TN. Family and friend may sign the guest register online at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements with Manes Funeral Home, Newport, Tn.

Henry Lowell Fitzgerald

September 5, 1935 - May 31, 2023