Dennis P. Fitzpatrick passed away peacefully to eternal life in Sun City West, AZ on May 13, 2017 with his wife of 43 years by his side. He bravely endured many medical tribulations with courage and dignity.
Denny was born in North Platte, NE on December 11, 1941. He attended St. Patrick’s schools, graduating with the class of 1960. In his young years he was a Golden Gloves Boxer and was runner up at the National Finals in Chicago Illinois. He enjoyed his friends and had many adventures to share. Following High School graduation he enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA, Great Lakes, IL, and Kansas City, KS. He married Beth Henningsen (Boyle) in 1960 and they had three children: Kathleen (Fitzpatrick) Mercure, Dennis P. Fitzpatrick Jr. and Matthew S. Fitzpatrick. He married Kay (Gilster) Fitzpatrick in 1974 and her three daughters, Kristy, Vangi and Jodi Lindstedt joined his family.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University, College of Animal Science in 1972, where he teamed with pioneers developing the science of Artificial Insemination in cattle. He worked for Boyle Ranch Company in Hershey, NE for many years. He loved the cowboy life and treasured many happy memories from those times. His lifelong career was with the Union Pacific Railroad, in North Platte, Cheyenne WY, Grand Island NE, and Ogden UT. He served in many roles, including Switchman, Brakeman, Conductor, and Engineer. Prior to the mudslides in Utah he served as a UPRR Officer with duties as a Trainmaster, retiring in 1993.
Denny was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Evelyn Fitzpatrick, his brothers Jim Fitzpatrick and Mike Fitzpatrick, daughter Jodi Lindstedt and his brother- in- law Matt Boyle.
Survivors include his wife, Kay Fitzpatrick of Sun City West AZ, his brother Tony (Sarah) Fitzpatrick of North Platte, his sons Denny Fitzpatrick of Fort Collins CO and Matt Fitzpatrick of Johnstown CO, daughter Kathy Mercure and her sons, Sam Mercure and Jordan Mercure, all of Fort Collins CO. Also happy to have shared his life are his daughters Kristy (Mark) Anthony and sons Cpl. Bryar (Karen) Anthony of Camp LeJeune, NC and Tyler Anthony of North Platte, Vangi (Jonathon) Stewart of Bar Harbor Maine and sons Taylor Stewart and Dakota Stewart, his brothers-in- law Bob (Carol) Henningsen of North Platte and Jerome (Kathy) Boyle of Omaha, sisters- in- law Erin (Steve) Dent of Mullen, Kathie Fitzpatrick of Papillion, NE, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Denny’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday June 9, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. He will then be laid to rest at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. All friends and family are invited to attend a lunch gathering at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall. On-line condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.