Joe Dudley Fitch

Joe Dudley Fitch, 85, of Marshall, Texas, died December 2, 2024. He was born December 18, 1938 in Marshall to Charles Thomas Fitch, Jr., and Gertrude Taylor Fitch. He attended Marshall and Shreveport schools before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, where he served from 1957 to 1961 and 1965 to 1966. After returning to Marshall, Joe began working for Texas and Pacific Railroad. He retired from Union Pacific Railroad in 2000. Joe was a member of Port Caddo Baptist Church. He served on the Marshall T&P Employees Federal Credit Union for 48 years, from 1974 to 2022. Those who knew Joe a little thought him a quiet, thoughtful man. Those who knew him a little better got a good dose of his quick wit and sly sense of humor. Those lucky enough to know him very well might have even heard him pick his favorite Chet Atkins or Hank Williams songs on the guitar. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Charles Thomas Fitch III, his sisters Jean Fitch Campbell, Bettye Sue Fitch Steele, and Selma Fitch Pharr, as well as several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Kethley Fitch of Marshall; his daughter, Julie Fitch of Austin; his son and daughter-in-law, Dudley and Denise Fitch of Marshall; his grandchildren Kaden Fitch of Marshall, Chase Tolbert of Rosenberg, Texas, and Skye Tolbert of Tyler, Texas. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.