Russell Burton Fitzpatrick, 98, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
Born July 4, 1928, he was the son of Thomas William and Susie Mae Scobee Fitzpatrick. He was the seventh child and the baby. He had five brothers, James, Roger, Tommy, Robert and Ellis, and a sister, Geneva, all born in Montgomery County. His father inherited a large farm on Howards Mill Road from his step-father, W.T. Fitzpatrick, sometime in the 1920s. Hardship and depression fell upon his father and mother around the time of Russell’s birth. His mother and father already had six children, so we can all imagine what times were like during this period of time. The family moved to Fogg Pike where Russell was born. He had farm chores before he went to school and after he came from school. His mother baked cakes to help with finances and his father milked cows during this period of time. His father fought depression since losing the farm.
After graduating from high school, Russell married Christine Stone. They had two sons, Danny and Russell Jr. Danny and his wife, Vera live in Winchester. They have two sons, Taylor and Andrew. Taylor and Stephanie have a son, Chase, they also live in Winchester. Andrew lives in California. Russell Jr. (Rusty) lives in Louisville. He has a granddaughter, Anne and great-granddaughter, Mila, who lives in Lexington. He and Christine were married 68 years and she passed in 2015. He had many business ventures, real estate and was a Greyhound bus agent in several locations helping family members with Greyhound. He had always been a farmer.
Bernadean, my step-niece; Harvey, my nephew, his wife, Marilyn; Bernadean’s daughter; Diane and Ronnie; and myself live in Mt. Sterling. My nephew, Allen and his family live in New York. We have remained very close. Tommy K, deceased, lived in Costa Rica. Christy, a niece, and family live in Lexington. Neva and family live in Athens, Ohio. Pamela Grace lives in Rosman, N.C.
After Judy’s husband passed away in March of 2018, I called her thinking we would get together and go somewhere to eat. I never dreamed that we would get married in August of 2019.
God has really blessed me in so many ways and I am truly grateful to him.
Service was conducted Tuesday, Nov. 10, at First Christian Church Mt. Sterling with Rev. Dr. Scott Holley, Rev. Michelle Ballard and Rev. Bill Kilgore officiating. Burial was in Machpelah Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Allen Fitzpatrick, Randall Arnett, Ray Roundtree, James Arnett, Taylor Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Davis.
Honorary pallbearers were Bill Smathers, Carl Ward, Charlie Cheatham, Jerry Rittenhouse, Ronnie Kemplin, Phillip Elliott and Marion Leggett.
Taul Funeral Homes was in charge of arrangements.
