Joseph Fitzpatrick, 39, of Pocahontas, formerly of Pana, died on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Pana, with Father Joseph Havrilka officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Pana. McCracken-Dean Funeral Home of Pana is assisting the family with arrangements.Mr. Fitzpatrick was born on Sept. 13, 1983, in Springfield, to John F. “Fred” and Sharon K. (Dudra) Fitzpatrick. He married Amber Fitzpatrick on May 25, 2010, in Las Vegas, NV and she survives in Pocahontas.
Mr. Fitzpatrick was a graduate of Pana High School. He served as captain of the football team and lettered in football, basketball and baseball, earning all-state football honors, and was a member of the state runner up Pana basketball team in 2002. Mr. Fitzpatrick went on to serve his country in the 82nd Airborne in the U.S. Army. He earned many medals, including, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Mr. Fitzpatrick was a member of the VFW, as well as the Emergency Support Function #13 and served during both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Irma, as well as the civil unrest in Washington D.C. and Chicago. He also served in the United States Protection Unit and the FCI Greenville Special Operation Response Team.
Mr. Fitzpatrick worked as an Engineering Tech at the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Greenville. He enjoyed spending time with his family, being in the outdoors, hunting, riding, competed in multiple MMA fights and most recently completed his first Iron Man competition.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Fitzpatrick is survived by his children, Gunner Fitzpatrick, Annabelle Fitzpatrick, Jocelyn, Riley and Maxx; grandson, Hudson; father, John “Fred” Fitzpatrick; and siblings, Carrie (Joe) Blagg, Shannon (Charles) Coe, Christa (Blayne) Fielder, John Fitzpatrick, Thomas Fitzpatrick and Michael (Ashley) Fitzpatrick.
He was preceded in death by his mother on Aug. 11, 2014; and sister, Sarah Kerrigan.
Memorials may be made to benefit Gunner and Annabelle Fitzpatrick and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home. Condolences may be left online at www.mdfh.com.
