Thomas Dean Fitzgerald
Although Thomas Dean Fitzgerald never wore a watch a day in his life, his time on earth ended at 4:54 am on November 10th, 2025, at Freeman West Hospital, with his wife holding his hand. Tom was 62 years and 22 days of age. Tom had experienced a very aggressive cancer in the last month of his life.
Tom was born on October 19, 1963, in Neosho, Missouri to James E. and Marjorie “Colleen” Fitzgerald. Tom was almost an hour older than his identical twin, Terry G. Fitzgerald. The twins joined older brothers, Michael Fizgerald and James Kevin Fitzgerald.
The Fitzgerald family enjoyed a lake home, on Grand Lake of the Cherokees near the Horse Creek area, where Tom grew up enjoying the water, boating, and fishing. These childhood experiences at the lake would draw Tom into wanting to live on a body of water one day, own a Ranger boat, and to fish Bassmaster Professional Tournaments. Tom fulfilled the first of these three dreams of owning a Ranger boat. Tom then traveled around the nation to fish 14 professional bass tournaments and placed in the money once. Ray Scott founded the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and would emcee for the tournaments. If Ray liked you, you received a nickname and Tom’s was “the Missouri hairstylist, hair by Evinrude.” As an adult Tom kept his curly hair long and after riding on the water in the boat all day, it was something to see. Ray decided he could poke fun at Tom about his hair and did so almost every tournament.
Tom graduated from Parkwood High School in 1981. He attended Missouri Southern State University and Crowder College where his studies revolved around science and alternative energy. Tom had worked at Shangri La Resort, Rafter’s, Rangeline Auto Parts, Motorola, Payless Cashways, Lowe’s, Professional Bass Fishing, Economic Security, Joplin and Webb City School Districts as well as serving as an adjunct professor at North West Arkansas Community College, in Bentonville, AR where he conducted the Building Performance Institute energy auditor testing, for students.
Tom had a brilliant mind and intellect with many diverse interests that ranged wide and far. Some include astronomy with Tom viewing planets, moons, stars, galaxies, and solar systems with his MEAD telescope, all things science (books, theories, labs, experiments,) amateur photographer, amateur ham radio operator obtaining the highest FCC license possible of Amateur Extra Class, which allowed him to talk to other operators around the world. Tom also enjoyed weather and storm spotting so much he became a member of the “Mokan” SKYWARN network in our region that trained weather spotters to report severe weather to the National Weather Service. Tom took pride in keeping his lawn in top shape and worked on it relentlessly. Tom fed the yearly hummingbirds and could tell you when they arrived each year and when they left for migration. Tom was an avid reader and was always found reading a book. Tom was a collector of science books, Sci Fi novels, true crime, and antique books. Tom enjoyed finding collectible Yo Yo’s and unique horror movie memorabilia, he enjoyed the sun and floating in the swimming pool, kayaking, playing billiards, going to hundreds of rock concerts but also strangely enjoyed hearing the Harpsichord music in old movies and sometimes felt that Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata stalked him as he heard it in so many movies. Tom enjoyed watching old and new Horror movies, Sci Fi movies, Thrillers, and Spaghetti westerns with Debbie. In his youth and early adult years Tom enjoyed driving muscle cars and eventually transitioned to streetcar racing in his Barracuda, all around Joplin and the surrounding area. In adulthood Tom transitioned over to hybrid vehicles and currently owned a PHEV vehicle. Every fall Tom would make his families multiple-generation old-fashioned fruit cake and would age it from Halloween to the holidays. Tom’s two favorite holidays were Halloween where he decorated the yard, carved unique pumpkins and watched Debbie hand out the candy, and the 4th of July where he was known for setting off large arrays of fireworks and having bonfires by the river. Tom was well known to have made the best perfect margaritas. Also, Tom was an astute observer of politics.
Tom met his wife, Deborah, on a blind date in January 1988. They became engaged the following month in February. They married only 7 months after meeting on August 12, 1988, in Miami, Oklahoma. From the time they met, Tom and Debbie were inseparable and did everything together. The song that was most popular when they first met was “Save Your Love” by Great White, so they considered that their song. They enjoyed 37 years and 3 months of a beautiful marriage. Several dental providers who had served both Tom and Debbie would comment on how rare it was to have a married couple in their 60’s who both retained some of their baby teeth.
Tom fulfilled his second dream of living on a body of water when he was bass fishing on Spring River, with a friend on his birthday. Tom called Debbie to share the news and the two looked at the house that day and they were hooked. They purchased their dream home on Spring River and remained there for 28 years.
Tom and Debbie traveled visiting Europe three times, Mexico, and Jamaica. They also traveled to Colorado and the 2000 Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Tom and Debbie would frequently visit Eureka Springs, AR for weekend getaways.
Tom loved the band Led Zeppelin, especially their guitarist and founder Jimmy Page. In fact one of his favorite songs was “In My Time of Dying” that contained these lyrics: “In my time of dying, want nobody to mourn, all I want for you to do is take my body home, well, well, well, so I can die easy, meet me Jesus, meet me in the middle of the air, if my wings should fail me Lord, oh please meet me with another pair.”
Tom was preceded in death by his parents James and Colleen Fitzgerald, brother Terry G. Fitzgerald, his grandparents, several aunts, uncles and a nephew. Tom was also preceded in death by many beloved cats Candee, Yoda, Persia, Pepper, Robby, Usul, Tigger, Vincent, Klaatu, Dewey, and Gort. Tom is survived by his wife, Debbie, two stepsons Tad Stricker and Paris Pacheco, two brothers, Michael Fitzgerald and James Kevin Fitzgerald. Tom is also survived by his current beloved cats Chani, Loui, Roz, and Maceo.
At Tom’s request he has been entrusted to Ozark Memorial for cremation with no formal service saying he “never wanted to be the center of attention.” There may be a celebration of life at another time. In sending Tom off, Debbie wrote the following: Tom, you may be gone from my sight, but you’ll never be gone from my heart because true love leaves a memory no one can steal. So, there will be no goodbyes for us because wherever you are, you will always be here in my heart today and always.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO
