Obituaries for the day of November 6, 2009

William H. Carson

Perry

William Harold Carson, 78, of Perry, died Nov. 5 at his home. A full obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

James Patrick ‘Pat’ Fitzgerald

La Grande

1918-2009

James Patrick “Pat” Fitzgerald, 90, a lifelong resident of La Grande, died Nov. 4 at a local care center. A funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in La Grande. Committal and burial will follow at the Union Cemetery. Viewing will run from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande.

Pat was born Dec. 23, 1918, to David and Cora (Coleman) Fitzgerald in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1936. On Sept. 3, 1939, he married Helen Davis at her grandmother’s home in Union. During World War II he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After a medical discharge he worked in a training program at Eastern Oregon College with young airmen preparing to become pilots.

Before the war, Pat worked with his brothers running Fitzgerald Furniture. In 1944, he established Fitzgerald Flowers, which he ran with his wife and family until his retirement. He operated a greenhouse and in the early years, grew all the flowers to supply the flower shop. In 1972, he established Pat’s Alley. He also owned other businesses including a nursery and landscaping service, cherry orchards, a car wash and a caramel corn and candy shop.

Pat had a passion for plants and gardening. He built a cabin at Wallowa Lake in 1950 where the family shared many happy times over the years.

Pat was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was a lifelong scout and was a Boy Scout troop leader for many years. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Kiwanis Club and the Knife and Fork Club. He enjoyed being a part of the “Liar’s Club,” which first met at DeBorde’s Café in Pat’s Alley and later at the Smokehouse Restaurant.

He was a pilot and loved to fly, making many trips into Red’s Horse Ranch. His Irish heritage came out in his playing of the bagpipes. One of his great joys was teasing his children and grandchildren and filling them full of silly stories. He had an incredible memory for details and was a local historian.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Fitzgerald of La Grande; children, Kathleen Fitzgerald Curtis and her husband, Paul, of Pendleton, Jeanne Fitzgerald Firstenburg and her husband, Bill, of Woodland, Wash., Brian David Fitzgerald and his wife, Ella, of DuPont, Wash., and Julie Ann Fitzgerald Bodfish and her husband, John, of La Grande; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Patrick Merton Fitzgerald; brothers, Ed and Clark Fitzgerald; and sister, Mary Larsen.

Memorial contributions may be made to Neighbor to Neighbor in care of the Presbyterian Church.