John Fitzgibbon

JOHN E. FITZGIBBON, SR. MARCH 20, 1914 - OCTOBER 19, 2015 Mr. Fitzgibbon passed away on Monday, Oct. 19. He was a leading practicing attorney in Laredo and South Texas courts for decades after serving his country honorably as a bomber pilot in World War II. He was one of the leading organizers and officials of American Legion Post 59 during his post-war service with the U. S. Air Force Reserves. He was the first WWII veteran to serve as judge advocate of the American Legion Department of Texas. He was a mainstay of the local American Legion Post 59 for decades. He joined the Air Force Reserves, continued his flying career out of San Antonio. He retired from the Reserves in 1975 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was the Webb County Attorney for over three terms. Mr. Fitzgibbon was born March 20, 1914, the son of John Edward and Josephine Fitzgibbon, in the home built in 1878 by his maternal grandparents, Edward and Molly McCaffrey, at the family farm near Bonner Springs, Kansas. He attended Rockhurst Academy in Kansas City, MO, and then went on to the University of Kansas where he was an outstanding runner. He competed in Texas meets, including one of the earliest Border Olympics meets as well as the pen relays. He was inducted into the University of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Fitzgibbon loved aviation, earning a private pilot's license at age 26 before he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps, earning his wings at Lackland-San Antonio. He met his wife, Betty Jean Clingenpeel, in 1942, while stationed at the Laredo Gunnery School and together were married for 37 years until her passing in 1980. He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Josephine Fitzgibbon of Bonner Springs, Kansas, his first wife, Betty Jean Clingenpeel; son, John Fitzgibbon Jr., and granddaughters, Julie and Heather. Surviving him are his wife, Rita Allen-Fitzgibbon of Laredo. His daughter, Janice Fitzgibbon-Hughes of Austin, stepdaughter Marlene Allen-Evans; grandchildren, Trey Hughes of Laredo, Jennifer Hughes Lopez of Austin, John S. Fitzgibbon of California, and five great grandchildren, Zachary, Eli and Sophie Sutton of Austin, and Connor and Cooper Hughes of Laredo. A Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will be held in the main chapel at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, at fifteen past 7 in the evening with the Rev. Msgr. James Harris officiating. A Reception and Celebration of Life Service offered by Janice Fitzgibbon-Hughes; her children and grandchildren, will be held in the foyer and chapel of Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, TX 78041, the evening of Friday the 23rd of October 2015 from half past 5 o'clock until 7 o'clock in the evening. In Lieu of customary remembrances, donations in his memory may be made to the Bethany House of Laredo or any charity of your choice. The funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, TX 78041, 956.722.8850 have been entrusted with the Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary and the Celebration of Life Service.