Karion John Fitzpatrick

Karion John Fitzpatrick, age 96, passed away quietly Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Palos Heights, IL. He had been living near much of his family in the Chicagoland area. He was born September 19, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, son of Karion E. and Erna (Korn) Fitzpatrick. He was affectionately known then as “Sonny” and doted on by his maternal and paternal aunts.

Karion attended Timothy Lutheran Church and grammar school where he met the love of his life Doris Fitzpatrick nee Rundle. He remembers the dress she was wearing that day and how great she played baseball, better than most of the boys. He continued his education at Morgan Park Academy where he excelled as a student/athlete. Including four-years National Honor Society and class officer. His athletic achievements included: baseball, boxing, basketball and football. He earned his nickname “The Rock” for helping lead his team to one of the most successful football seasons in the history of the Academy.

He went on to attend Carleton College, Northfield, MN. He was the first of his family to attend college, and very proud to be one of the alumni, although a knee injury there ended his collegiate sports career. After graduation he married Doris and raised a family of five while working as an industrial engineer at Republic Steel where he stayed until early retirement.

His children know how lucky they were to have “Fitz” as Dad and Doris as Mom. He and Doris took them camping all over the country (“Are we there yet?”), summers at Klinger Lake and snow skiing. He loved square dancing, teasing, and stirring the pot. He loved reciting poetry and songs (we figure the Irish in him), military music, and Lawrence Welk. We all remember him helping us solve math problems at the dinner table.

All who met him counted him as a friend.

He raised his family in Oak Lawn and Beverly, then moved out to Crown Point, IN. Upon retirement, he moved to Oceanside, CA with Doris where they stayed until her passing in 2020. He was an active member of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Chicago and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Carlsbad, CA.

He is survived by his daughter, Judith Cremieux of Palos Heights, IL; son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Cherie Fitzpatrick of Canyon Lake, CA; daughter, Peggy Fitzpatrick of Chesterton, IN; son, Thomas Fitzpatrick of Chesterton, IN; son and daughter-in-law James and Karen Fitzpatrick of Mission Viejo, CA. Also survived by his brother-in-law, Ralph Rundle, and sister in law, Maureen Rundle — not just family, but cherished lifelong friends. As well as by his 9 grandchildren, and 10 great-children: A. Michael "Mike" Cremieux, Adam Cremieux, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Melissa Fitzpatrick, Kara Fitzpatrick, Nickolas Fitzpatrick, McKenzi Fitzpatrick, Kaylee Fitzpatrick; great-grandchildren, Grace Cremieux, Casey Cremieux, Michael A. Cremieux, Logan Cremieux, Harper Cremieux, Orion Green, Silas Green, Huxley Falaas (aka Sonny), Colton Hixon and Jaxon Bowman.

He was preceded in death by his wife Doris (Rundle) Fitzpatrick; sister and brother-in-law Charlotte and Lyle Ramshaw; sister-in-law Karen Rundle; brother-in-law Ronald Rundle; son-in-law Arthur "Butch" Cremieux.