Gaylord Wayne Fitzwater, age 76, of Kettering passed away on December 24, 2023. A devoted husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa including Winnie due in March.
Gaylord is survived by his loving wife; Rita (Schomburg) Fitzwater, Children; Angel Burkett (Scott), and Michael Fitzwater (Yukari), Grandchildren; Zachary Hooser (Janelle), Leah Fitzwater (Jeff), Olivia Lair (Max), Lauren Burkett, Great-Grandchildren; Grace Hooser, Jackson Hooser, Joseph Hooser, Jupiter Focke, and Winnie Lair (who will be born in March).
Gaylord was born March 28, 1947 to Orpha (Peery) Fitzwater and Lester Fitzwater. He met the love of his life, Rita as a sophomore at Wheelersburg High School. They married on December 31, 1965. He began working for GM Frigidaire at 19. Their first apartment was in West Alex and eventually bought their first home in Kettering. Two children were born, Angel and Michael. He retired from GM Delphi Harrison, Moraine City after 30 years. Gaylord and Rita were married 58 years as of New Year’s Eve.
Gaylord was gifted with many hobbies. Golf, fishing, softball, deer hunting, a guitarist, old cars (building, painting, mechanic), photography including developing pictures, archery, building black powder guns, RC cars, and planes, and building a snowman family with his kids. Gaylord was a Mason 32nd Degree with West Carrollton Lodge. He bought a 29 Ford Model A in boxes, put them in the back of his truck and built it with all original parts, and painted it. He was involved with Holiday at Home throughout the years. Gaylord won first place in his class at the 1986 Bow Hunter Nationals. He shot in the Recurve Fingers Class. He was entered in the record books for shooting 2 perfect rounds.
Hawaii was his favorite trip with the whole family. 50’s and 60’s Chevy cars were his favorite cars. Holding his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in his chair was another favorite. He also enjoyed playing his guitars and singing.
He loved his friends and his family completely and will be missed by all.
Gaylord was a Christian and attended Marshall Road First Church of God in Kettering. The family requests donations to be given to Marshall Road Church of God. You are welcome to write a condolence, send flowers, and upload a story or pictures.
A visitation will be held at Tobias Funeral Home Beavercreek Chapel, 3970 Dayton – Xenia Rd. Beavercreek, Ohio 45432, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm with a service to follow starting at 2:00 pm. A burial will occur on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg, Ohio at 1:00 pm.
