Norman Keith Fitzpatrick, 88, of Effingham, Kansas, passed way on Jan. 11, 2026, at Amberwell-Atchison surrounded by his family.
A memorial service will be held 11:30 AM, Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home in Atchison, Kansas, with Rev. Jeff Cochran officiating. Visitation with the family will be held at 10:30 AM, till the time of the service. Burial of cremains will be at a later date. Norman has been cremated under the direct care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Atchison Humane Society, ACCH Educational Foundation, or Heart-Strings and may be sent in care to the funeral home. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com
Norman was born on May 8, 1937, in Hedville, KS., the son of William “Ted” and Nellie (Herndon) Fitzpatrick. He graduated high school in 1956 and joined the navy shortly after. He went to navy school to be a mess cook but ended up going to nuclear weapons loading. He served on the helicopter squadron H56, on USS Philippine Sea and USS Kearsarge. He participated in the basketball team on the Kearsarge and was to play in a holiday basketball game. He was able to cross over the equator became a shellback. He received a good conduct medal in June 1960. He married Lynne Heberly on September 2, 1961, and she preceded him in death on July 29, 2010. He enjoyed any sports that his grandchildren were part of and attended everything he could, demolition derby, reading, hunting, fishing, cooking, watching tv, dancing, traveling, and making sure to keep in contact with members of his family.
He is survived by his son; Gary (Beth) Fitzpatrick, daughter; Lynne (Greg) Kurtz, grandchildren; Tyson (Lauren) Fitzpatrick, Jake (Brittany) Kurtz, Mitchel (Kailen) Kurtz, Wesley (Becky) Fitzpatrick, Chelsie Brown, Casey Fitzpatrick, Heather (Leo) Primeaus, Krystina Volle, and twenty great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, Shane H. Fitzpatrick, granddaughter, Genny Fitzpatrick, great-grandchildren, Peyton and Kourtney Tyler, brothers, William “Howard” and Wendell “Fitz” Fitzpatrick.
