James Frank Fitch

On June 22, 1938 twin boys James and George were born 2 minutes apart to the delight of parents Elva (Shirley) and Kyle Fitch, Sr. and big brother Kyle, Jr. From that moment started a lifetime of adventures, laughs, hard work, devotion, and love. A family devoted to our Lord and attending First Baptist Church-Nacogdoches, James and George began their time at church in the nursery cradle roll and would eventually end their days on earth as members of the Kerr Sunday School Class. James loved spending time with his brothers and friends playing football, camping along Banita Creek with their pet goat, spending time at Stripling’s Drugstore downtown, working on cars, hopping the train and going to Houston and many other adventures. Nacogdoches was still small and kids could adventure to wherever they wanted.

James was always devoted to our Lord, to his family and friends, work, and our country. He had a strong work ethic. Always looking for a job to help out the family, he raised and sold chickens, mowed lawns, worked at Norton’s Ice Cream, delivered candy for the Alexander Brothers, worked at Mahdeen’s Hair Tonic, and Stripling’s Drugstore. The twins attended SFA Demonstration School and later Nacogdoches High School (NHS) where they excelled at sports, especially football where they became known as “the touchdown twins.”

Following graduation from NHS in 1956, James attended SFA part time while working for his dear Uncle Sam Stripling, Jr. at Stripling’s Drugstore. As the Cold War started brewing, James and several friends joined the United States Army. Following basic training, James was sent to Zirndorf, Germany. Thanks to the strong typing skills James learned in high school, he was assigned to the Personnel Unit. James and some dear Army friends traveled around Europe as they could and enjoyed driving a VW bug around Frankfurt, Germany and Paris, France and then later traveled to London. James was able to see the Berlin Wall and Russian tanks lined up ready for war.

Upon returning back home to Nacogdoches, James worked again at Stripling’s Drugstore then later at Gound Chevrolet. Then James met Lois Stripling! After months of dating and meeting at Stripling’s Drugstore for coffee before going to work, the two married in April 1964. Then in 1965, Mr. Bob Kline hired James to work at NIBCO in personnel. James was always grateful for the opportunity Mr. Kline opened up for him to grow with a strong and respected company and to put to work his skills learned while in the Army.

In 1970, James and Lois welcomed their baby girl Angie into the world. They spent their life having fun, working hard and loving one another. James was at every sporting, church, school, and drill team event Angie had. James wanted to be the truly “present” Dad, always showing support.

James retired from NIBCO as Personnel Manager after 32 years of loyal service. During his years, he was awarded the President’s Award for Outstanding Service. James enjoyed working at NIBCO where he developed good friendships. Later when Lois retired from NISD, they were able to travel domestically and internationally. But the major exciting times were when daughter Angie married Tom McKinney and they gained a son-in-law and when the family grew again with their one and only grandchild, Grace. Again, James (Poppy) was always “present” —always ready to help with a project, repair broken toys, give advice and support, ready to travel, give a hug, wash a car, listen to Grace’s stories and see her drawings, make breakfast for Grace after spending the night with Mimi and Poppy, and cheer Grace on in all her successes. James was always devoted to his family and they loved him deeply.

James was preceded in death by his parents Elva and Kyle Fitch, Sr., twin brother George Fitch, and special aunt and uncle Lois and Sam Stripling, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lois Stripling Fitch, their daughter Angie and son-in-law Tom McKinney, granddaughter Grace McKinney, older brother Kyle J. Fitch, Jr. and his wife Kathy in Ohio, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a church or charity of your choice.

The charity special to James:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

1-800-805-5865

stjude.org

A visitation will be held Monday, April 7, 2025 from 9:30 am to 10:00 am at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, followed by a funeral service at 10:00 am officiated by James Kitchens, PhD. A private graveside service for Lois, Angie, Tom and Grace will be at Sunset Memorial Park.