06/15/2017
Larry Fitzgerald
Born in Austin, Texas on October 12, 1937, Larry Fitzgerald touched the third rail on June 12, 2017. Those who knew and loved Larry knew his caustic wit and wicked sense of humor and therefore, should not be surprised that he wrote much of this obituary and, much like Larry himself, it's deliciously irreverent.
Larry was a graduate of Austin's McCallum High School and the University of Texas. He worked for numerous Texas radio stations as a newsman, gatherer and news director, before coming Director of Communications for the State Bar of Texas. He worked in political campaigns for Lt. Governor Bill Hobby and Governor Ann Richards.
Larry perhaps was best known for his role as public information officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (the freeworld's largest gulag) in Huntsville, Texas. In that capacity, Larry witnessed 219 ex*****ons, allowing him to meet many state, national and international media types. Big whoop. He won some awards - some merited, some not. He was a regular blood donor, often said to have a very rare blood type - the only one that could be used to jump-start a wino. He volunteered at Meals on Wheels and the Bullock Museum and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year at K*T Radio.
Upon his official retirement from TDCJ, Larry was hired as an expert witness to testify on behalf of the defense during the punishment phase of more than 30 capital murder cases. He was successful in some cases and in others, not so.
Larry's departure from TDCJ was not the end of his state service. Larry worked for the Texas Division of Emergency Management, advising on the state's response to floods, fires and hurricanes, and he also enjoyed working for the Texas Secretary of the Senate during each legislative session from 2005 to 2013. He was hired to conduct location shooting for the now-defunct Texas Department of Commerce in an ambitious effort to lure major movie-makers to shoot their productions in Texas. It was an interesting job that allowed him the opportunity to see miles and miles of Texas, a state he dearly loved.
Larry is survived by his long-suffering wife Marianne Cook Fitzgerald, who he always lovingly referred to as his "Child Bride,"' as well as his daughter, Kelly Anne Fitzgerald and his son Kevin Lane Fitzgerald and spouse Lorraine Fitzgerald, all of Austin. He also is survived by his shepherd/heeler rescue dog, Charlie, who was a comfort provider and travel companion.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Jackson Fitzgerald of San Marcos, and his beloved mother, Dorothy Tillman Fitzgerald of Smithville, Texas.
Larry worked diligently to support the economies of Kentucky, Ireland, Great Britain, Scotland and Mexico. He never met a bartender he didn't like, which is why his liver looked like a smoked oyster. He was proud that he kept one particular promise he had made to himself: never vote Republican.
