Loren Robert Fitzgerald of Tonkawa died Sunday afternoon, January 21st at the Renaissance assisted living in Ponca City, OK. He was 99 years old. Loren was born July 9th, 1924 to John Waldo Fitzgerald and Edna Pearl (Ingram) Fitzgerald. He spent his childhood living in rural Grant County on a family farm 5 miles North of Lamont, OK. Loren and his younger brother Delmer attended grade school at the country schoolhouse 1 mile North of their home and attended high school at Lamont High. Shortly after graduating high school, Loren went to work for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, KS.

In 1943 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp to serve his country during World War II. Due to his prior experience at Boeing, he was given the technical rank of Tech Sergeant and served as a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator in the Pacific campaign. During this time, he was stationed at the Naval Base Hollandia, New Guinea. His missions had him cross the equator several times as well as land in Iwo Jima, Japan after the capture of Mount Suribachi.

Loren was honorably discharged from the service in 1946. He met and married Emily Ann Mack on August 24, 1947, and they celebrated 50 years together before her death on March 26, 1998. Loren and Emily resided in Tonkawa, OK where he worked for Wetmore’s as a tool and dye maker designing parts for grain buggies. In addition, Loren continued to maintain the family farm alongside his father and brother Delmer.

Loren was a 70-year Master Mason, Scottish Rite 32nd degree with the Tonkawa Lodge and Past Worthy Patron of Tonkawa Eastern Star. He served many years as a Deacon as well as a Sunday School teacher at the First Christian Church in Tonkawa.

Loren enjoyed his family, gardening, working on restoring his 1957 MG convertible, and visiting friends around town. Many people would recognize him driving the little blue golf cart every morning as he visited the donut shop and then the First National bank for coffee with the girls. His smile was contagious, and he didn’t know a stranger.

Loren is survived by his daughter, Ann O’Mealey; two grandchildren, Jason Farias and wife April of Collinsville, OK; Anna Lena Kashirskiy and husband Alec of Houston, TX; three greatgrandchildren, Holden and Camdon Farias, and Elena Kashirskiy; two nieces, Becky Astle and husband Dale, Susan Smith and husband Merle; nephew Jon Fitzgerald, great-nephew, John Fitzgerald and partner Erika, and two great-great nephews Johnny and Jaxon Fitzgerald.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents, John and Edna Fitzgerald, wife Emily, brother Delmer and wife Georgia, and son-inlaw Garry O’Mealey. He was also preceded in death by a very special companion of 22 years, Dorothy Owen.

A Celebration of his Life will be Monday, February 5th, 10:00 AM at the Christian Life Church in Tonkawa. A burial with military honors will follow at the Blackwell cemetery, Blackwell, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to North Central Oklahoma Hospice.

Paid Obituary