Jerrold Everett Fritz

Jerrold Everett Fritz, 81, of Ooltewah, TN, died Wednesday, December 25, 2018, at the Hospice of Chattanooga Care Center in Chattanooga, TN.

Born December 29, 1936, in Milwaukee, WI, he was the son of the late John Albert and Alice Cook Fritz.

He retired from the General Conference of Seventh Day Adventists in 2002, where he was the Director of Claims for Adventist  Risk Management. Jerry, as he was known, was happiest when surrounded by family, especially during Thanksgiving celebrations and annual vacations to the Outer Banks and Oak Island in North Carolina. He loved codging about with his wife, Pat, gardening, men’s quartets, spontaneous trips to the Pennsylvania Amish country, and a McDonald’s senior diet coke “with extra ice.” He had a great smile and sense of humor which he shared liberally among family and friends. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, a U.S. veteran, dedicated employee and loyal friend.

He is survived by two daughters, Laurie Gauthier of Ooltewah, TN, and Donna Bearden  (Bob), of Burlington, NC; one son, John Fritz (Dawn Pettit), of Elkridge, MD; one brother, Jim Fritz (Jeannine Grizzard) of Ashland, OR; six grandchildren: Kelli Gauthier (David Benton) of Nashville, TN., Brian Gauthier of New York, NY;  Claire Bearden of Jersey City, NJ,  Anna Bearden of Philadelphia, PA; Zoë Fritz and Lily Fritz, both of Elkridge, MD; and one great grandson, Arthur Edmund Gauthier Benton of Nashville, TN.

He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia June Lance Fritz, and his sister, Joan Mae Fritz.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Frederick Seventh-day Adventist Church, 6437 Jefferson Pike, Frederick, MD 21703. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

There will be no viewing or visitation.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

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