Mr. Jere Scott Fitz-Gerald, 71, of Chattanooga, formerly of South Pittsburg, died Sunday, April 30, 2006. Jere was born April 28, 1935 to James Thomas and Alice Elizabeth Jones Fitz-Gerald; their eighth child. He was a lifelong member of Christ Church Episcopal in South Pittsburg, where he began playing the church pipe organ at age 13. He served as church organist for six years. He graduated from South Pittsburg High School, then attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955, and spent three years in Eritrea as a Signal Corps cryptographer. He moved to Michigan in 1962, and was involved in church choirs, glee clubs, Little Theater, and a rock-and-roll band. When he retired from the computer field in Michigan in 1996, he returned to the Chattanooga area. In 1997, he once again accepted the position as organist and choir director at Christ Church, where he continued to serve until his death. During his years back in the Chattanooga area, he also enjoyed singing in the Sewanee Chorale. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Captain James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr., Edward Arthur Fitz-Gerald, Robert Evan Fitz-Gerald and Michael Fitz-Gerald; brothers-in-law, Ward Zeigler and Marvin Rogers. He is survived by three sisters, Fay F. Ziegler of Chattanooga, Kathleen & Troy Gullette of Chattanooga, TN and Virginia F. "Tede" Rogers of South Pittsburg; sisters-in-law, Lillian Fitz-Gerald of Mobile, AL, Bobbie Henry of Chattanooga, Charlsie Fitz-Gerald of South Pittsburg, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted from Christ Church Episcopal in South Pittsburg at 3 PM Central Time on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 with the Rev. Stephen Eichler officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 4-8 Central at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church Episcopal, P.O. Box 347, South Pittsburg or the American Cancer Society.