George Fritz Obituary

Former Durango resident George F. Fritz died Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 10 days after his 87th birthday.

Mr. Fritz was born May 4, 1926, in Durango. He grew up in Durango, where he loved to travel aboard what then was the Denver & Rio Grande Western. His family said he enjoyed building model planes from scraps of wood.

Mr. Fritz joined the Navy in 1943 and served onboard the USS Goshen until the end of World War II.

After the war, he remained in the Navy Reserves while going to school on the GI bill. He worked during off times as a forest ranger in Mesa Verde National Park and then for McDonnell Douglas as a draftsman.

Upon graduation, Mr. Fritz returned to active duty with the Navy, this time as a commissioned officer with the rank of lieutenant, and earned his aviator's wings. After 26 years in the Navy, he retired as a lieutenant commander and moved his family to Colorado Springs.

Mr. Fritz eventually joined Lockheed Martin Corp. and retired after 20 years. His focus on aircraft continued, but he also enjoyed steam trains and the history of the West. His love for steam locomotives led him to join several "train-chasing" journeys. During return trips to Durango, he never missed an opportunity to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

"He was fortunate to be able to join in on the things he loved – flying, trains and friends," his family said, "He was active as long as possible, like skiing into his mid-70s, attending reunions with family and Navy buddies as well as gardening."

Mr. Fritz is survived by his wife of 58 years, Alice Fritz of Colorado Springs; sons David Fritz of Colorado Springs and Donald Fritz of San Diego; daughters Catherine Fritz-Pole of Lakewood and Christine Fritz, Colorado Springs; brother, David Fritz; sister, Helen Yarletz; and three granddaughters.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2013, at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, 927 North Logan Ave., in Colorado Springs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the National Museum of World War II Aviation at www.worldwariiaviation.org.