Douglas Fritz

An oddball that saw there was water in the glass, and not that it was half full or half empty, someone to wonder how to break the glass without spilling any of the water, and wholeheartedly sacrifice anything and everything for those he loved are just a few ways to describe Doug Fritz.
With Alaska becoming the 49th and Hawaii the 50th state, 1959 had many historical moments. NASA introduced America's first astronauts to the world including John H. Glenn Jr, and Alan Shepard Jr. and the U.S.A. launched the first weather station in space. The popular TV programs that year included Rawhide, Bonanza and The Twilight Zone. The Boeing 707 jet airliner came into service and Mattel launched their Barbie Doll line. On September 24, 1959 the biggest news for Dean and Donna (Overmyer ) Fritz was them welcoming a baby boy by the name of Douglas Eugene Fritz when he was born in Columbia City, Indiana.
Doug attended Whitley County Schools and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1977, then attended Ivy Tech Community College. He had worked as a manufacturing supervisor for several years.
Motorized mini-bikes, bicycles, and cars were major interests to him. As a boy, Doug was so delighted when his brother got in trouble and was disciplined with a switch he had gotten. Doug too, was then disciplined for being too excited about is brother's misfortune.
As a young adult bicycling and music were Doug's passion, in fact he saved for quite a while to buy a special bike and trumpet.
Doug was a very hard worker, but had the tendency to hit his head rather regularly. At one of his jobs he was the only employee to wear a hardhat in the entire plant.
Family was at the center of Doug's life, whether it was through family vacations or just getting together to spend time. He loved pulling harmless shenanigans just to get a reaction out of people.
In addition to bicycling, golfing, and concerts Doug enjoyed working with his hands, including projects around the house, cars, and woodworking. He also loved helping his kids and grandkids learn how to take care of things.
Favorite quotes Doug liked to use were "it's all the same color on the inside" and "where's that button?"
One of his favorite books was Lord of the Rings.
When it came to music rock, classic rock, and classical music and bands such as Rush, Chicago, Boston, and Queen could be heard on Doug's radio.
The television shows that held the interest of Doug included Stargate, Game of Thrones, Star Trek, and Supernatural, along with the movies Alien, Predator, Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Princess Bride, or any film with James Bond in it.
So many wonderful memories for a man so well loved. They will live on in the hearts of those who knew him best, never to be forgotten.
Douglas Eugene Fritz, age 59, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 9:45 am on Wednesday March 20, 2019 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
Survivors include his wife Deb Fritz of Columbia City; children James Fritz of Decatur, TX, Josh Fritz of Fort Wayne, and Felicia Fritz of Columbia City; step-children Chris Easter of Columbia City and Amanda Bickel of Florida; 7 grandchildren; mother Donna Fritz of Murfreesboro, TN; siblings Daryl (Melinda) Fritz of Penn Valley, CA, Deonda (Mike) Jones of North Manchester, IN, and Donovan Fritz of Columbia, TN.
Friends may call from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Monday March 25, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.
Funeral services for Douglas will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday March 25, 2019 at the funeral home.
Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send the family an online condolence.