Duross Fitzpatrick

John Duross Fitzpatrick^[1] (October 19, 1934 – January 6, 2008) was an American lawyer and jurist who served as United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

Duross Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick in 1992
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
In office February 1, 2001 – January 6, 2008
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
In office 1995–2001
Preceded by	Wilbur Dawson Owens Jr.
Succeeded by	Willie Louis Sands
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
In office December 17, 1985 – February 1, 2001
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Seat established by 98 Stat. 333
Succeeded by	C. Ashley Royal
Personal details
Born	(1934-10-19)October 19, 1934 Macon, Georgia, U.S.
Died	January 6, 2008(2008-01-06) (aged 73) Jeffersonville, Georgia, U.S.
Spouse	Beverly O'Connor ​ (m. 1963)​
Children	2
Parents	Mark W. Fitzpatrick (father) Jane L. Duross (mother)
Education	University of Georgia (B.S.F.) University of Georgia School of Law (LL.B.)

Education and career

Fitzpatrick was born in Macon, Georgia, the son of Mark W. and Jane L. (née Duross) Fitzpatrick.^[2] He attended high school in Cochran, Georgia, and then Sewanee: The University of the South before serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957. Thereafter, he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Georgia in 1961 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1966. He was in private practice in Macon from 1966 to 1967, and then in Cochran until 1986.^[3][4] He married Beverly O'Connor on March 17, 1963, and they would have two sons.^[2]

Federal judicial service

On November 14, 1985, Fitzpatrick was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 16, 1985, and received his commission on December 17, 1985. He served as Chief Judge from 1995 to 2001, assuming senior status on February 1, 2001, and serving in that capacity until his death, in Jeffersonville, Georgia.^[3]