Ronny Lee Fritz

Ronny Lee Fritz, age 81, passed away January 18, 2021. A second-generation descendant of German immigrants on his father’s side and early settlers of Texas on his mother’s, he was born on February 2, 1939 to Leroy Erwin Fritz and Peggy Elloise (Smith) Fritz in Copperas Cove, Texas. Raised in Ingleside, Texas, he graduated from Ingleside High School in 1958 where he played on the football team. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1958. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and received a Rifle Expert Badge, Cal. 30, and he was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal in 1962.

Ronny was employed by Corpus Christi Army Depot for 37 years, which is where he met his wife of 52 years. They married on November 15, 1968. At CCAD, Ronny worked his way up from apprentice aircraft engine mechanic to become an investigator for aircraft and vehicular accidents at both domestic and foreign sites. He also researched migratory wildfowl for Texas Parks and Wildlife and served as a contractor for SAIC.

Ronny was a devoted father to eight children, and he faithfully served as a eucharistic minister and a member of the Men’s Club at St. Pius X Catholic Church. A cowboy at heart, he competed in rodeos as a young man. Ronny will always be remembered for his commitment to faith, family, and country as well as his service as a foster parent to over 100 children whom he loved as his own, his sense of humor, his appreciation for nature, and his love of good books, country music, long conversations, and taking his daughter Angelica and his grandchildren to Gates Donuts. He was ever both a gentle man and a gentleman.

Ronny is preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Peggy. He is survived by his wife Peggy Shirley Fritz, his sister Mary Thelma Moore and her husband George (Copperas Cove, TX), his children Heather Fritz and her husband Paul Manigrasso (Waxahachie, TX), Kerry Barnard and her husband Michael (Frisco, TX), Ronny Fritz and his wife Kerry (Elgin, TX), Colleen Fritz and her husband Tony Merola  (McKinney, TX), Zachary Fritz (Corpus Christi), Molly Olohan and her husband John (Weymouth, MA), Richard Fritz and his wife Rebecca (Corpus Christi), Angelica Fritz (Corpus Christi), and Elizabeth Fritz (Corpus Christi). He is also survived by his 31 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A rosary will be held 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 22 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 23 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Seaside Memorial Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ronny Lee Fritz may be made to the Incarnate Word Academy Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald R. Shirley Scholarship Fund, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78413, or they may be made to THE ARK, 2960 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78410. 

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