Raymond Craft Fitzgibbon

RAYMOND CRAFT FITZGIBBON, age 97, of Little Rock, passed away Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011. He was born Nov. 16, 1913, and preceded in death by his parents, D.W. Fitzgibbon and Fannie Craft Fitzgibbon; three brothers, John, David and Carney; three sisters, Frances Reid, Laurie Elliott and Corinne Pearman. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Alice Leslie Fitzgibbon; daughter Ann Stroud; and son-in-law Rick. In 1936 he helped organize the unemployment compensation program for Arkansas and the name was changed to Employment Security Division, where he served in supervisory positions for 43 years. He retired in 1979. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force and served for four years in the Pacific. In 1946, Raymond joined the Albert Pike Masonic Lodge No. 714, and the Scottish Rite Temple, where he was Captain Emeritus for the Camp Guard. He was made a 33 degree Mason. He belonged to the Scimitar Shrine Temple where he was Captain Emeritus for The Scimitar Foot Patrol. Raymond was a member of Asbury Methodist for 62 years and served on committees there. He was also an avid Razorback fan and belonged to the Razorback club from back when he helped sell tickets at a store on Main Street to the first game at the new War Memorial Stadium. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 14, 2011 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel, (501)224-8300. Memorials may be made to Asbury Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211, or to Scottish Rite Foundation, 712 Scott Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.