Thomas M. Fitzgerald

Thomas "Tom" M. Fitzgerald, of Kirkland, Washington, died Friday, November 5, 2010, at the University of Washington Hospital in Seattle, Washington from complications associated with an organ transplant received in 2009. Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, November 12, 2010 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery. Recitation of the Holy Rosary services will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. and all are invited to attend at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center located at 1502 7th St., La Grande, Oregon.

Tom was born on February 26, 1962 in La Grande, Oregon to Roesch and Donna Jo Fitzgerald. He attended La Grande schools and graduated from LHS in 1980. Tom was active in many sports, including football and baseball. Upon graduating, Tom attending University of Idaho, Spokane Community College and Eastern Washington University obtaining degrees in Finance, Economics and Computer Science. After college he pursued management opportunities within the Bi Mart Corporation before relocating to Seattle, Washington and becoming an IT Systems Administrator for Starbucks Company headquarters. Tom received numerous awards and recognition over the course of his tenure at Starbucks, including the esteemed "Inspiring the Human Spirit" award. He was a valued and trusted employee, working with senior management and company owners at Starbucks to develop systems and world-wide security operations.

Tom's dedication and work ethic to Starbuck's was a direct result learned from his father and years of dedication and work at the family-owned and operated Sacajawea Hotel and Annex in La Grande, Oregon. Tom attended St. Louise Catholic Church in Bellevue, Washington and was a member of the La Grande B.P.O.E. He was an avid outdoorsman always enjoying retreats to mountains, rivers, lakes and beyond. Tom's sense of humor and adventure was never lost on anyone he met and, much like his father, enjoyed pulling the occasional prank on an unknowing friend or relative. His smile, twinkling eyes, and cribbage capabilities were next to none. Tom was forever thoughtful with a kind and loving heart, always thinking of others first and quick with a special "something" gift, helping hand, or a compliment. He constantly showered his nieces with love, teaching them the intricacies of computer games, the art of jokes and laughter, and duck feeding expeditions. Tom was married for four years to Victoria Hadley.

Tom is preceded in death by his father Roesch A. Fitzgerald and is survived by his mother, Donna Jo Fitzgerald of Nampa, ID, sister, Ann (Brian) Jones, of Nampa, ID, brother, Bill Fitzgerald, of Nampa ID, and brother, Paul (Kayann) Fitzgerald and nieces, Joelle (godchild) and Claire, of Kirkland, WA. He will be forever loved and greatly missed by all who had the distinct pleasure of knowing this kind and gentle soul.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charitable organization of your choice in care of Daniels~Knopp.

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