Max Ray Fitzpatrick, 89 of Greenwood, IN and lifelong Johnson County, IN resident passed away Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Greenwood Village South Pavilion.
He was born January 17, 1935 in Clark Township, Johnson County, IN to Charles Ray Fitzpatrick and Lola Fern (Hommel) Fitzpatrick. He married Lois Rachel (Hamilton) Fitzpatrick on June 19, 1981 at Glenn’s Valley United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN; she preceded him in death on May 12, 2010.
Max was a graduate of Clark Township School, having received his BA and BS from Franklin College, his MS from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, his Academy of School Executives from Butler University Indianapolis and the Indiana Academy of School Principals in Indianapolis, IN.
Max had been teacher and later as principal at Webb Elementary School for Franklin Community School Corporation retiring in 1991.
At Webb Elementary School in Franklin, the gymnasium was named the Max Fitzpatrick Gym.
He was a passionate volunteer at the Johnson County 4-H Fair and at the Johnson County Museum of History in Franklin.
Max was a member of several associations including the National Education Association, Johnson County 4-H Agricultural Fair Association, Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals and Events, the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, a founding member of the Indiana Regulated Amusement Device Safety Board, the Johnson County Retired Teachers Association, Johnson County Farm Bureau Inc., Indiana Farm Bureau Inc, Indiana University Alumni Association, the Indiana University Woodburn Guild, Franklin College Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Johnson County Historical Society, Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Educational Foundation, various antique automobile clubs including the Central Indiana Old Car Club and the Johnson County Antique Machinery Association.
His fraternal organizations include Franklin Masonic Lodge #107, Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Max was a member of Hurricane Community Church in Franklin, IN and First Presbyterian Church in Arcadia, FL.
He served on various boards and had committee assignments for the Johnson County Historical Society, Indiana Fair Association and the Indiana Ride Safety Commission/Homeland Security. Max was also a participant in the International Association of Fairs and Expositions Convention in Las Vegas, NV and attended and participated in the State and National Elementary Principal Conventions, organizer of the Johnson County Indiana Bicentennial Parade, chairman and manager for the fund-raising and moving of the Franklin Railroad Depot so that the Franklin Educational Foundation might be formed to operate the Chamber office building and railroad museum, leader of children’s education trips to Chicago and Southern Indiana and former secretary/treasurer of the Indiana Fair Association.
Max received the Franklin Kiwanis Club Rural Life Award two times, once as a 4-H member and once as an adult 4-H Leader, Franklin Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Educator, Indiana Association of Elementary Principals, Principals of the year in 1983 and 1990, 50 year 4-H leader, he and his wife Lois were chosen as Friends of Purdue University Extension Service in 2004, Phoenix Award two times-SAE, Franklin, IN, Indiana University outstanding alumni, Franklin College Alumni Citation Award, Franklin Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen award now known at the Max R. Fitzpatrick Distinguished Citizen Award, past president award from the Indiana Association of Fairs, a member of the Indiana Association of Fairs Hall of Fame, honorary Lt. Colonel of the Indiana State Police, Franklin City Navy-Commander Franklin, IN and honorary Kentucky Colonel.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife Lois, visiting friends, farming, promoting fairs, advancement of young people, sports, camping, outdoor life, carpentry, reading, automobiles and antique tractors.
Survivors include his family brother-in-law and sister-in-law David and Carol Ann Hamilton of New Castle, IN, sister-in-law Fran Parkison and brother-in-law John Parkison of Parker City, IN, a special friend Jean Ann Jones of Franklin, IN, close family friend since 1952 having met at Franklin College Wendell Campbell and Patricia Campbell of Franklin, IN, a nephew Don Medsker (Deb) of Arcadia, FL, a niece Carolyn Snyder of Shelbyville, IN , nephew Tony Medsker of Shelbyville, IN and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Ray Fitzpatrick and Lola Fern (Hommel) Fitzpatrick, his wife Lois Rachael (Hamilton) Fitzpatrick, a stepsister Wilma (Fitzpatrick) Medsker, stepbrother Wayne Dragoo, brother-in-laws and sister-in- laws Dale and Nona Hamilton, Stephen and Mary Lee Hamilton and Carolyn and Bill Necessary.
Reverend Dan McLaughlin will conduct a service on Friday, June 30, 2023 at 10:30AM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com. Friends may call Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 3PM until 8PM at the mortuary. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, IN.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana 4-H Foundation P.O. Box 3125 Indianapolis, IN 46206 or at www.in4h.org, or the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair Attention Kim Roberts 250 Fairground Street Franklin, IN 46131.