Jerry Minish Fitzpatrick

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Jerry Minish Fitzpatrick, US Army (Ret) 81, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Statesboro, Georgia at Ogeechee Area Hospice. Mr. Fitzpatrick was born in Ila, Georgia and moved to Metter, Georgia in March 2013 from Fort Pierce, Florida.

Jerry served in the United States Army from 1957 until 1981. During that time Mr. Fitzpatrick spent more than 7 years as a Senior Air Defense sergeant, 11 years as a Senior Field Artillery Sergeant, and retired as a Command Sergeant Major at the end of his 24 year military career. Throughout the course of his service, CSM Fitzpatrick marched in the inaugural procession of John Fitzgerald Kennedy the 35th President of the United States, served three tours overseas in an active war zone, was of the first to be trained on the first military computers, served as a western ally with the German border guard when the Berlin wall was erected, and is decorated with over 21 military honors including  an Army Commendation Medal and four awards/honors from the Militaries of Foreign Governments.

He is predeceased by his parents; Asbury and Annie Sue Minish Fitzpatrick; three sisters, Gloria Fitzbowden, Sara Taul, Eleanor Morgan; one brother, Grady Fitzpatrick.

Mr. Fitzpatrick is survived by his wife of 57 years, Toni Ann “Antonia” Fitzpatrick of Metter, GA; his children, Dorothy Fitzpatrick of Macon, GA, Jerry Michael Fitzpatrick of Metter, GA, Sara (Kenny) Youmans of Metter, GA, and Lieutenant Anthony (Tracey) Fitzpatrick of Ft. Pierce, FL; his 8 grandchildren, Alex Kee, Braylin Fitzpatrick, Haley (Dalton) Johnson, Sara White, James Harris Youmans, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Madison Fitzpatrick, and Dorothy Catherine Youmans; 1 great-granddaughter and another on the way.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 16, 2022 from 1-3 p.m. at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel.  Full military honors will be rendered at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will be on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 3 p.m. at Ila Cemetery in Ila, Ga.

Remembrances can be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, PO Box 531, Statesboro, Ga.30459.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.