Joe Nic Fitzgerald passed away on Wednesday July 18, 2018 at his home with his wife by his side.He was born November 30, 1940 in McComb, MS to Walter J. and Helen Dunaway Fitzgerald. He was reared in the Friendship Community. After graduating from McComb High School he went on to complete his studies at the University of Southern Mississippi. He accepted Christ as his savior in 1950 and joined Friendship Baptist Church where he remained a member all his life. He was ordained as a deacon at the church, a role in which he served for over 30 years, as long as his health allowed. He served on numerous committees, but his favorite job there was riding his tractor and cutting the grass on the church property.He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family at the camp of his father-in-law. He and his wife enjoyed traveling with their friends all over the United States. He especially enjoyed going to Colorado every year hunting and sightseeing.After finishing college Nic returned home to work with his father in the water well business. He enjoyed giving people a vital necessity, good clean water. He continued running the business after the loss of his father in 1969. Nic spent 6 years serving his country in the Mississippi National Guard. He enjoyed doing things for other people for which he wanted no praise or credit.Nic suffered several heart attacks and received a blessing from God in 1996 when he had a heart transplant. It was time to pass the torch to his son to continue the water well business. Brad makes the fifth generation to continue the family business. Nic served as president of the Mississippi Water Well Contractors Association. He also served over 20 years on the Board of Directors for the Mississipp Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Water Resources.

He was preceded in death by his first wife. Barbara Currie Fitzgerald and their infant son, Jon Brett Fitzgerald; his parents Walter Jones and Helen Dunaway Fitzgerald his father-in-law and mother in law; C.Y. and Dorothy Penn.

He is survived by his wife of almost 53 years Shirley Penn Fitzgerald; one daughter, Jo Fitzgerald Hubbard; one son, Bradley Jay Fitzgerald and wife Becky; three granddaughters, Sarah Jayne Fitzgerald, Jordan Elaine Fitzgerald, and Margaret Amelia Hubbard; one brother- in- law, Robert Penn and wife, Vallie Beth Penn and their children Benton Penn, Michael Penn, Vallie Bea Penn Pate, and Sarah Frances Penn Martin.

Visitation is Friday from 5PM until 8PM at Sharkey Funeral Home, 1023 Old Brookhaven Road, Summit, MS 39666 and continues Saturday at Friendship Baptist Church, 1046 Friendship Circle, McComb, MS 39648 from 1PM until services at 2PM with Rev. Zachary Smith and Rev. Robert Netterville officiating. Burial will follow in Pike Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank Hospice Compassus,and their wonderful staff-especially Tabby Boyd, Brenda Wells, Shannon Landen and Bruce Rawls for their compassionate care of Mr. Fitzgerald.

Pallbearers are Justin Adams, Stephen Adams, Rusty McCulley, Benji Parker, Robbie Roberts, Andy Rayborn, Chad Rayborn and Mark White. Honorary pallbearers are Joe McCulley , Amos Parker, Lewis Roberts and James Earl White.

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