03/19/2026
Bob Fitzner, 79 years old, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on March 18, 2026, in Bowie, Texas.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 23, 2026, at First Baptist Church, Bowie, Texas with Minister Jack Pritchard officiating.
Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie, Texas.
Family will receive friends from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at White Family Funeral Home in Bowie, Texas.
Bob Fitzner was born December 16, 1946, to James and Annabelle Fitzner in Tucumcari, New Mexico. After graduating Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas Class of 1965, he immediately enlisted in the United States Army wanting to serve his country. While in the Army, he excelled as a soldier and rose to the Special Forces Team of a Green Beret. As an Airborne Green Beret trained at Fort Bragg, NC, Sergeant Bob Fitzner earned his wings and then became a Jumpmaster.
His additional training included certification in glacier climbing and repelling, river navigation, fi****ms expert, and field medic. After his service to his country, Bob chose to pursue his education at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. While in Wichita Falls, he met his beautiful bride, Linda Diane White. They married December 4, 1971, at First Baptist Church, Bowie, Texas. They started their life together while attending college in Wichita Falls where they began their family of four glorious children.
While raising their children, Bob created and established Homestead Mobile Homes in Burkburnett, Texas and eventually expanded to seven additional mobile home lots throughout Texas. While raising their four children, Bob was heavily involved in the community in the local Junior Chamber of Commerce, where he served as President and Officer for the Board of Commerce and Industry. Not to mention coaching many of his children’s youth baseball and sport teams. In 1989, the family moved to Bowie, Texas where he eventually started Homestead Mortgage.
Throughout his time in Bowie, he served as Bowie High School Booster Club President for two years while continuing to support every child in all activities from basketball, cheerleading, football, baseball and golf and especially supporting his wife creating community musicals and being a local high school theater teacher.
Traveling was a favorite past time of Bob and Linda, as they were fortunate enough to travel the world while their children were young. Fishing was truly one of his favorites along with golf and snow skiing. He enjoyed spending time on the lake in his boat with his family fishing and skiing. He pursued his passion for flying and aircrafts in 1982 and earned his personal pilots license then bought his first plane, which was Cessna 172. He also loved being recognized as a radio star starting in Seattle where he was the voice of the daily the “Troop Salute” and for the past five years has been the voice of the “Troop Salute” on the Country Top 40 Countdown with Fitz. Known as “Green Beret Bob’ he is adored by listeners throughout the world.
His downtime included reading, endless hours of listening to KRLD, watching Fox News, John Wayne movies and the History Channel as he was a history major.
Bob lived life to his fullest and was always the center of the party with his sense of humor, big smile, and unforgettable laugh. He absolutely adored his family and embraced quality time with each and every one of them as they brought joy to his life.
His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been taught how to persevere, be strong, be smart, love your country, provide for your family, and stand up for what is right.
Bob is survived by his wife Linda Fitzner; his son, Brady Fitzner of Bowie, Texas; his daughter, Misti Fitzner Reed and husband Thomas of Colleyville, Texas; his son, Cory Fitzner and wife, Bethany of Weatherford, Texas; and son Dustin Fitzner of DFW; and 13 grandchildren Austin, Allie and Andy Fitzner; Everleigh, Tanner and Breeland Reed; Corbin, Chloe, Cooper, Drew, Cash, Bowie and Bodie Fitzner; Four great-grandchildren; Hank, Jesco, Duke and Jane.
Also survived by sister, Jimmie Ann Vaughn of Bastrop, Texas and twin sister, Bonnie Dennis of Georgetown, Texas, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made in honor of Bob to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or the Bowie Jackrabbit Booster Club, P.O. Box 285 Bowie, TX 76230.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral of Bowie, Texas.
