Howard E. Fitzwater, Sr. was a member of the Parkway Life Church in Lumberton, Texas and went home to be with the Lord on July 15, 2026 at his home in Beaumont, Texas. He was born in Groves, Texas on November 23, 1939 to Howard C. Fitzwater and Dorothy Erwin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Kimball Fitzwater, son, Howard E. Fitzwater, Jr. (Gene), parents, Howard C. Fitzwater and Dorothy Erwin, sister, Leefayne Wilson, and brothers, Ira Fitzwater and Lorren Fitzwater. He is survived by his daughter, Theresa Fitzwater of Beaumont Texas, his siblings, David Erwin of Mauriceville, Texas, Lesyle Bradley of Orange, Texas, Mary Moenter and spouse Pete of Naples, Florida, Larry Fitzwater of Naples, Florida, and Ron Fitzwater and spouse Caroline of Beasley, Texas, 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Howard, also known as Sonny, grew up in Bridge City, Texas and graduated from Bridge City High School. Sonny was on the football team, the basketball team, and performed in the junior class play. After high school, he joined the Air Force and later met and married Clara Kimball and had two children, Theresa and Gene. He was a passionate and devoted family man with a caring heart. He was a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and neighbor.

In his working days, he enjoyed being a roughneck on an oil rig and wiring numerous buildings in Atlanta, Georgia as a commercial electrician. After retirement, he enjoyed assisting his neighbors by mowing their lawns and being a helping hand.

Sonny’s celebration of life will be held at the Melancon Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas on July 21st. The viewing will begin at 11 am with the service starting at 12 pm. Interment will follow at the Campground Cemetery in Woodville, Texas.