Thomas Fitzgerald

Thomas Fitzgerald, 88 of Marion, passed away on May 14, 2022 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, May 28, 2022 at St. Christina’s Catholic Church, Parker, with visitation 1 hour prior. Burial with Military Rites will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Marion. Arrangements by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Thomas “Tom” James Fitzgerald died on Saturday May 14 ^th , 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 88. He was born to James and Francis (Lockman) Fitzgerald on April 15 ^th , 1934, in Waterville, IA. He graduated 8 ^th grade from Turner County Public School and earned his GED while serving in the Navy.

On September 15 ^th , 1962, he was united in marriage to Dorothy “Dot” Shestko at St. Bernard’s Chapel in Tucson, AZ.

Tom joined the US Navy in 1954 and served for 4 years. After the Navy, Tom joined the US Air Force in 1958, until retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant on April 30 ^th , 1976, at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. While bravely serving our country, Tom was stationed overseas in Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam as well as Korea.

After the Air Force, Tom worked at Desert Air Parts in Tucson, AZ until 1983. Upon leaving Desert Air Parts, Tom and family moved to Marion, SD in September of 1983 to be closer to family and begin working with long time childhood friend, Glen Rapp.

Tom was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marion, as well as an active member of both the Parker VFW and Marion American Legion. Tom had a love of airplanes and cars, but more than anything he was devoted to and cherished his time spent with his family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his smile, his chuckle, his hard work and his love and devotion to his family.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Dot; children, Thom (Dawn) Fitzgerald, Columbus, OH, John Fitzgerald, Las Vegas, NV, Joan Miller (Mark Garrison), West Valley, UT; seven grandchildren, Erin McJunkin, Brian (Gayle) Calhoun & Michaela Fitzgerald of Columbus, OH, Danielle Fitzgerald & Matthew (Melissa) Fitzgerald of Las Vegas, NV, Chris Miller (Amber Lange), Sioux Falls, SD, Forrest (Jason) Ablott, West Jordan, UT; six great-grandchildren, Tucker McJunkin, Laurel, MT, Mara Calhoun, Columbus, OH, Karsyn, Chloe & Kyla Fitzgerald, Las Vegas, NV, Oliver Miller, Sioux Falls, SD; brother Leo (Jan) Fitzgerald, Marion, SD; brother-in-law Randy Ringen, Ventura, CA; sister-in-law Carol Fitzgerald, Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Teresa Jacobus, Donna Hamerly, Florence Ringen, Joan Fitzgerald & Pat Fitzgerald.

The family of Tom Fitzgerald would like to thank you for your support, prayers, and presence today.