James Fitzgerald

January 27, 1937 - November 28, 2012

James Edward Fitzgerald, 75, of Prescott, Arizona, died on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Born January 27, 1937 in San Diego, California to Judge Roy G. Fitzgerald and Claire Whelan Fitzgerald, James was raised in a family devoted both to the Catholic Church and to the law. In addition to having a municipal judge as a father, Fitzgerald counted five lawyers among his uncles and graduated with a law degree from the University of San Diego. Before attending USD, Fitzgerald graduated high school from St. Augustine High School in San Diego. Later, he served 8 years with the US Naval Reserve before receiving an honorable discharge. Fitzgerald and his wife, Susan, were married in LaJolla, California on November 29, 1982. Together they founded and operated Fitzgerald Bail Bonds for 30 years prior to selling the business. Recently they founded and operated Fitzgerald All-State Bail Bonds in Prescott. Fitzgerald was a former President of the Arizona Bail Bondsmen Association, a distinguished member of the Professional Bail Agents of the United States, and Regional Director of the Professional Bail Agents of the United States. He was an Alumn of St. Augustines, member of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (Kingman, AZ), The Loyal Order of Moose (Prescott Valley, AZ), The American Legion (Portland, ME), and The Fraternal Order of Eagles (Prescott, AZ). Fitzgerald was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Diocese in Prescott. Fitzgerald was inducted into the Professional Bail Agents of the United States Hall of Fame on February 22, 2005 for distinguished service over 30 years in the Bail industry. As a child growing up on the water in the Point Loma area of San Diego, CA, Fitzgerald once tried to hide a seal he had caught in his family’s bathtub. Later, when as an adult his daughter showed a steer she had raised for 4-H in a local fair, he was so worried about no one bidding on it that he bid on the steer and ended up buying it. Fitzgerald was well-traveled and enjoyed taking trips with his wife. They visited many parts of the United States and journeyed by rail through the Canadian Rockies. Fitzgerald is survived by his wife, Susan, his children Maureen Bartmus, Coleen Bartmann, Erin Mahoney, James Fitzgerald, Shannon O'Connor and Brian Fitzgerald, his stepchildren, Darrin, Brian and Edward Tickner, 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is survived also by his brother, Michael, of Vashon, Washington. Preceding him in death are his parents, Judge Roy G. Fitzgerald and Claire Whelan Fitzgerald, a brother, John, and a sister, Mary Pat (Sister Claire Patrice Fitzgerald). A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church in Prescott, Arizona. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. .