Jim Fitzwater, 68, of Manchaca, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Austin. He was born to Robert and Genevieve Fitzwater on Jan. 31, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio. Jim lost his father at an early age and was taken into the home and hearts of the Maxwell family of Farmer City, Illinois.
Jim spent his career as a master carpenter in the home building industry. He lived in many cities during his career with “home” being Illinois, Arizona and Texas. Jim retired in 2007 after a battle with cancer. He spent his retirement traveling with his wife Gale, spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and building beautiful custom carpentry.
Jim is survived by wife Gale of Manchaca, his mother-in-law Edith Swenson of San Marcos; brothers John of Illinois and Tom of Arizona; children Sherie Osborne (Mike) of Illinois, Dennis Fitzwater of Phoenix, Arizona and Teresa Manning of Phoenix, Arizona. Jim also has four stepdaughters, Julie Riggleman (Mark), Beth Spiess, Jill Bitner and Nancy Long (Robert). Jim will be remembered in the hearts and minds of his 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
His mother and father, brother Bob of Jasper, Texas and sister Sandy of Illinois preceded Jim in death.
