Everett Fitzgerald

Lifetime Springdale resident, Everett Harrison "Jack" Fitzgerald, age 83, was called from his earthly home to his heavenly home on Sunday, June 6, 2010 after a brief battle with cancer. He was born to Oddless Harrison and Ina Jane (Ballenger) Fitzgerald on February 13, 1927. He attended Oak Grove School, and later served in the United States Army where he was stationed in Japan. After returning from duty, he married his childhood sweetheart, Christine Hairston on May 15, 1949. He was an over-the-road truck driver for Jones Truck Lines for over 30 years. In 1983, he was honored as Driver of the Year and also earned a prestigious safety record award for driving 3,400,000 miles without an accident. After retiring from J.T.L., he enjoyed gardening, fishing, and playing with the grandkids. He was a proud grandpa who, along with Grandma, could be seen attending many ballgames and concerts. Jack was a charter member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where he served many years as Sunday School Superintendant and trustee. He also volunteered his work in the Oak Grove Community. He was known by all who met him to be a man of great Christian character who loved his Lord, family, country and friends. He was a master storyteller, and his funny stories and anecdotes kept everyone laughing. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother in law Ethel and Johnny Gobble and his son, Doug. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Christine, of the home, daughter and son in law Sherry and John McWilliams of Shawnee, Oklahoma,daughter in law Yolanda Fitzgerald of Springdale, son and daughter in law Dwayne and Cindy Fitzgerald of Springdale, sister Eva Dean Terry, brother in law and sister in law Gale and Jessie Hairston, all of Springdale. Seven grandchildren: Jason Fitzgerald and wife Christian, John Fitzgerald, Angela (McWilliams) Goodson and husband Jacob, Stephen McWilliams and wife Crystal, Bethany McWilliams, Robert and Ryan Fitzgerald. Three great grandchildren: Sophia and Seraphina Goodson and Daniel Everett McWilliams; one niece Susan Storment and husband John and son Ben, and three nephews Dennis Hairston and Jeff Hairston and their families of Oklahoma and Bill Hairston and his family of Fayetteville. He is survived by a host of friends and loved ones including his and Christine's precious caretaker in recent years, Silvia Trejo. Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Springdale with Rev. Guy Durkee and Rev. Louis Dewett officiating. Burial will be in the Elm Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 8, from 6 to 8pm at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale. Pallbearers will be Jason Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald, Robert Fitzgerald, Ryan Fitzgerald, Stephen McWilliams and Jacob Goodson. Honorary pallbearers will be Gale Hairston, Earl Boyd, Hugh Hairston and Gary Canup. Memorials may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 8109, Springdale, Arkansas 72766. To sign the guestbook online please visit www.siscofuneral.com or www.facebook.com/siscofuneralchapel

Everett Fitzgerald

February 13, 1927 - June 6, 2010