John David Fritzlen

John David Fritzlen, 79 of Higgins, passed away Monday, July 3, 2017 at the Hemphill County Hospital in Canadian. Services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, July 6, 2017, at Locust Grove Baptist Church, with Rev. Dr. David E. Williams, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Higgins Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mr. Fritzlen was born on July 14, 1937, son of G.W. (Fritz) and Doris Waller Fritzlen in Higgins. He attended elementary school in Higgins. The family then moved to Winfield, Kansas where John and his brother Jim attended junior high and high school. Upon graduation, John attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, and later continued his college education at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where he received a B.S. degree in accounting. After graduating from college John farmed and ranched in both Winfield, KS and Higgins. In December of 1972, John was united in marriage to Ruth Marie. Since both had been previously married and had children they combined the families and moved to the ranch in Higgins, where the now very large family all worked together raising cattle and farming. Along with this, John also established his accounting and financial planning business. Later in life John began raising registered Quarter Horses, of which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also liked to quail hunt and was very involved with the community. John served as Lipscomb County commissioner, President of the Lipscomb County Farm Bureau and the Higgins School Board. He was also a member of the Locust Grove Baptist Church.  John is survived by his wife Ruth Fritzlen; sons, John Scott Fritzlen of Ocala, FL, Mike Lee Fritzlen of Wichita KS, step-sons Buck Waite and wife Denise of Arnett, OK, Shane Waite and wife Kris of Higgins, and Audie Waite and wife Kim of Canyon; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  John was preceded in death by his father G.W., mother Doris, brother Jim, nephew Bob, step-son Kyle Waite and granddaughter Amber Waite.   Memorials may be made to Locust Grove Baptist Church, 12500 FM 192, Canadian, Texas 79014-3929.