Air Crewman 1st Class Joseph Patrick Fitzmorris

September 13, 1980 - July 19, 2012

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Kilpatrick Funeral Home

1200 Lamy Lane

Monroe, LA 71201

318-323-9611 |

Friday 8/3

United States Navy Helicopter Air Crewman 1stClass, JOSEPH PATRICK NEWMAN JP FITZMORRIS, 31, of Ruston, Louisiana, was killed July 19th in Oman, when his MH-53E Sea Dragon, assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 stationed at Norfolk, VA, crashed during a downed aircraft recovery operation of another helicopter, approximately 58 miles southwest of the capital city of Muscat. A memorial service was held at Norfolk Naval Base on July 26 in Norfolk, VA. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 3, 2012 at Trinity United Methodist Church on the I-20 North Service Road, in Ruston, Louisiana with a private burial immediately following, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, with Navy Lieutenant Chaplain Jeffrey Ross and Associate Pastor Rev. Brian Mercer presiding. JP was born September 13, 1980 in Shreveport, LA. He is a 1999 honors graduate of Ruston High School, in Ruston, LA, where he lettered in baseball, football, and track, and a 2003 graduate of Louisiana Tech University, with a BS degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. He was working on his Masters of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Louisiana Monroe, when he made the decision to enlist in the US Navy in 2004. He was a veteran of several deployments to the Persian Gulf and he participated in humanitarian relief efforts following the earthquakes in Haiti. JP married US Navy Ensign Jacqueline Jacquie Gulla on February 19, 2012, shortly before deploying to Bahrain with his squadron. JP was a lifelong resident of Louisiana. He was a talented athlete and avid outdoorsman, who absolutely loved to duck and deer hunt, fish, and cook what game he killed or caught. Above all JP loved spending time with Jacquie, his shipmates, friends and family, and JP was a purple and gold hemorrhaging LSU Tiger Football fan. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and Trinity United Methodist Church. JP is survived by his wife and best friend, Jacquie Gulla Fitzmorris, of Norfolk, VA; his mother, Florence Mae Fitzmorris, of Bossier City; sister, Jolie B. Mahfouz and her husband Judd, of Washington, D.C.; his beloved dogs Nala and Drake, and enough cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles to fill Tiger Stadium. JP is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Florence and Joseph Fitzmorris. Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to the JP Fitzmorris Memorial Fund, c/o Community Trust Bank, 1511 N. Trenton St., Ruston, LA 71270. The JP Fitzmorris Memorial Fund will be used to fund a scholarship to be given each year to a student graduating from Ruston High School who demonstrates some of the same wonderful qualities and interests as JP and who will be attending Louisiana State University. The family of JP wishes to thank the communities of Ruston, LA and Hampton Roads, VA, for their unending support and prayers and to those men and women serving at home and abroad, may you continue the guard and come home safely. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

1200 Lamy Lane

Monroe, LA 71201

318-323-9611 | Map

Friday 8/3

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The Arkansas Daughter of the American Revolution would like to extend our sympathy to you for the loss of your loved one. 1st Class, Joseph Patrick Newman Fitsmorris was a hero. God Bless you. Linda C Thomas VAVS Central Arkansas

Akansa Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, in Hot Springs Village, AR., would like to extend our sympathy to you for your loss. Sylvia Matthews Regent

We pray that the GOD of ALL COMFORT cover your family and loved ones with HIS GRACE in the difficult days ahead. Your brave son will have a special place in our hearts because of his love of country and his ultimate sacrifice. The wonderful provision of a scholarship for a worthy young person is an awesome way for Joseph`s memory to live on.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of AC 1st Class JP Fitzmorris. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and is truly an American Hero. May God Bless you and may He bring you comfort in the coming days.

My thoughts and prayers are with AC 1st Class JP Fitzmorris wife, parents and family at the lose of your brave husband and son. American has lost one of the "Best!" Joanne H Murphy National Vice Chairman DAR Service for Veterans Luncheon

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

Our Prayers are with you and we are saddened to hear of your loss.

We are so sad to hear of the death of 1st Class Joseph Fitzmorris. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have sent this obituary to our DAR Service for Veterans Committee so that they can remember Joseph in their hearts and prayers.

Joseph Patrick must have been a fine young man and I know he was a credit to the uniform he wore. He is a true hero and his country will long remember his valor. You have the deepest sympathy on his loss by all the members of the Louisiana Daughters of the American Revolution. Your son did not die in vain. He made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country. He is OUR hero. We will remember him as a brave soldier and fine young man. Beth Dawson LSDAR Chairman of DAR Service to Veterans Jackson, LA 70748

Flo Our hearts our with you. JP and our son spent so much time together in school, baseball, camp, etc. He was always part of our family and always will be. Ken and Sally

Jolie and Judd, Condolences on your family's loss. The price paid by our armed service members and families is immeasurable. Prayers sent. Dan

Dear Family and Friends of 1st Class Joseph Patrick Fitzmorris, i give you my deepest,sincerest condolences. I did not know him but as a member of the U.S. Military it breaks my heart to hear of your loss. I pray that in these moments your family and friends find peace and comfort within Jesus Christ. I pray Gods blessings upon your family and restoration of your hearts and minds during this time. Very Sincerely, SrA Kirstie F. Horton, USAFR

Members of Louisiana Society Daughters of the American Revolution join me in sending heartfelt sympathy to the family in the loss of Joseph. He is truly a patriot. At our LSDAR meeting on Friday, August 3rd in Ruston we remembered him in our opening prayer. May God grant peace to each grieving heart and hope to our nation that we can live our lives to be worthy of the sacrifice that Joseph made for us. Sincerely, Norma Strother Lester, LSDAR State Chaplain

Our deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family. My husband is a Navy veteran, having served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam with the Seabees. Thankfully he survived those deployments. I cannot imagine the level of your greif during this time. But I know our God will sustain and keep you through it all. The pride you must have in knowing that your son/husband/ brother/nephew was among the best of the best is immeasurable, I'm sure. I never met him but I am very thankful for his service to our great nation. And again, I am so sorry for your loss.

I can't even begin to tell you how much our hearts ache for all of JP's loving family. Our son, Kyle, had the honor of being JP's roommate when he went to Bahrain in April. Kyle told us he was a great guy who really loved his job and his wife. The horrific phone call from Kyle is something we will never forget. Know that our prayers are with all of you to have God's special blessings during this most difficult time. Kyle is fortunate to have met such a fine, young man. Peace to all....

Judd and Jolie, Please know how very sorry I am at this time. I know how much you loved JP and I loved him too. I will be praying for you both and know that JP is in heaven. I will miss him deeply. Love you both!!

I cannot say thank you enough for your sacrifice, and the sacrifice of your family. I support the efforts of all military personnel and families. I am a daughter and granddaughter of military and saw the sacrifice first hand. I will never forget the efforts, the legacies left behind, and the community service that you gave Ruston and the way that I know you brightened people's lives. I know many people will miss you, but none will forget you.

Thank you J.P. for your service and your scrifice for our country. Your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Our son and daughter had classes at Ruston High with J.P. We will never forget you. God bless you all!!

Our prayers are with all of you during your time of loss. May Gods grace bring you comfort and peace. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for the service your loved one gave to our country.

JP was a few classes above me at Ruston High School, although I didn't know him on a very personal level, I did know him as a GREAT asset to the RHS football team.... and as someone who will always be known as a LOCAL HERO for serving our country and allowing people like me to have freedom! My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family and friends during this difficult time! With Deepest Sympathy! Rachel Doyle

Dear Jacquie, Jolie and Judd, Julie and Mark, In the rough times over the past week, I have recognized that I am the man I am today in a large part to my first day at Northwestern State when I met JP. My first impressions of JP are the same as they were the last time we spoke. A man of class who was true and friendly. Having followed him and becoming his little brother in Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, he led me toward the life I live today. Through our conversations over the past months and years, JP's love for Jacquie was a love like no other. We all know about his love for his puppies, his Naval crewman, his activities in nature, and of coarse his LSU football. We have some of the same loves and when we see each other again, it will be an everlasting conversation about those things. On Behalf of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Brothers, we would like to extend our deepest condolences. With Love, Honor, and Respect of Joseph P. Fitzmorris Steven & Kara Austin

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

Dear Jacquie, Jolie, and Judd, We are so sorry that we cannot be with you in Ruston this Friday. Please be assured that you are in our hearts and prayers. We only knew JP for a short time, but could see that he was an extraordinary young man who had a zest for living and great devotion to his country. Most of all, he brought such happiness to those whom he loved. Because of JP, we'll always root for LSU when they play Alabama! Much love, Max and Frank

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.