Alan K. Fitzsimmons, 66

Alan K. Fitzsimmons, 66, passed away May 1, 2023, at home surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Mountain Home, Idaho to James G. Fitzsimmons and Carmen Elaine Ambrose Fitzsimmons Dec. 30, 1956. His family lived in northern California until his teen years. They moved to Ogden, Utah when he was 14. He graduated from Bonneville High School and attended Weber State University.

He married the love of his life, Lynn Gamble in 1980 in Ogden, Utah. They enjoyed many years of sailing, camping and riding horses. They had two children and Alan tried farming and ranching in addition to working full-time for Jetway Systems in Ogden and later Ramp International in Salt Lake City.

After a family vacation to Montana, they moved to Kalispell.

Alan worked as a mechanical engineer for Semitool and Applied Materials and made many lifelong friends.

He was a devoted father — teaching his kids to hunt and fish. He took both of his kids on an unforgettable hunting trip to Africa.

He was an avid fisherman and loved fly fishing and rafting on the North Fork of the Flathead River and boating and fishing on Flathead Lake. He couldn’t wait until the ice was thick enough to ice fish on Lake Mary Ronan and Bitterroot Lakes. He loved hunting for deer, elk and antelope. He loved goose hunting with his friends and family. He enjoyed pheasant hunting with all of his Brittany spaniels over the years. His newest Brittany puppy, Rylee, will miss him very much.

He loved baseball and softball and coached both of his kids' teams until they started high school.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lynn; his children, Jake (Rachael) Fitzsimmons, Erin (Aaron) Oberlitner; grandchildren, Allie, Beau and Cailin Fitzsimmons and Jaycie and Blayke Oberlitner; his sister, Tami (Pete) Harlow; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Alan’s wishes were for a “celebration of life party” to be held in his honor. No sadness, no tears. Please join us at Brannigans Pub, 101 E. Center St., Kalispell on May 13, 2023, from 5-9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Flathead Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited or Pheasants Forever.

Donations for the Walleye Chapter can be mailed to: Flathead Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited, 175 Hutton Ranch Road, Suite 103, # 806, Kalispell, MT 59901

Donations for Pheasants Forever can be mailed to: Flathead Valley Pheasants Forever, 355 Cedar Mill Road, Kalispell, MT 59901

Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.