Erin Fitzmorris

Erin Michael Fitzmorris, 39, of Parsons tragically passed away on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Dallas after battling with mental health, alcohol and substance issues for a number of years.

He was born on May 25, 1982, in Parsons to Gretchen (Wheelan) Depue and Mike Fitzmorris.

He graduated from Parsons High School in 2000. He attended Labette Community College for commercial music and lived in Parsons, Joplin, Missouri, Lawrence, Las Vegas and Miami. Music was his passion, and at age 10 he traded his violin for a guitar and started taking lessons from his father.

 

Erin became a professional musician and found work as a guitar teacher and a studio, gigging and busking musician. He also donated much of his musical talent to friends, family and local charitable causes. Erin toured with several bands, including The Fitz Band, Travis Condon, To a Lunar Reunion, 88er and Erakanaren. He also worked with adults with disabilities at CLASS Ltd. and as a puppeteer for the Astral Valley Gypsies. Erin’s hobbies included drawing, cooking, reading Stephen King novels and keeping the company of the nearest cat. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends who fondly called him “Fitz.”

Survivors include a child, Lily Ann Clark of Webb City, Missouri; a brother, Eric, and his wife, Jill Fitzmorris, of Lawrence; nieces and nephews, Brenya, Ridley, Cambria and Fiona, who Erin spent years living with and playing music with; his mother and stepfather, Gretchen and Jim Depue of Savannah, Missouri; his grandmother, Pat of Joplin; a sister, Susan Perry and her family of Oklahoma; and several other cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles on his Fitzmorris and Wheelan sides.

Erin also spent time living with his cousin, Jessica Thomas, and close friends Harris Roit and Marvin Foreman.

Erin was preceded in death by his father, Mike Fitzmorris.

Erin was loved by us and so many others. We would like to remember the good memories during this time of heartbreak. We are blessed to have so many who have already shown their love and support for Erin and our family.

Memorials are welcome to help with final arrangements to Eric Fitzmorris via Erin’s GoFundMe https://gofund.me/492373ed.

The memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Calvary Baptist Church in Joplin, Missouri. After the service, the family will receive friends from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served after the service.