A life of duty ended as Fitzgerald J. Petersen took his last breath on Dec. 1, 2023. Fitz joins his parents, Jim and Betty, and a faithful pack of pups — Puma, Pilot and Downey. What they have gained, we have lost.
Fitz was born on Nov. 22, 1965, in Dragerton, Utah. He grew up in Columbia, Utah, playing baseball and making friendships that would last a lifetime. As a young boy, Fitz traveled to New Mexico with his grandparents. On that trip, he came to the profound conclusion he would work to help strangers and people in need. Because of that decision, Fitz made a career and a life of duty as a firefighter and if you know Fitz, you also know when Fitz decided something in life, he stuck with that decision 99.99% of the time. With his strong will and determination, Fitz fought diligently for what he believed in.
Fitz graduated from East Carbon High School before joining the United States Army. Upon completion, he attended the University of Utah and the ROTC where he earned the rank of Lieutenant. It was during this time Fitz married Jeanie Cisco and had one of the joys of his life, his beautiful daughter Erin.
Throughout his college years, impacted by urban life and all that comes with it, Fitz began a service project collecting coats and blankets for the homeless. Fitz continued this project when he became a firefighter with Salt Lake County, which later became Unified Fire Authority. The annual coat and blanket drive, Operation Cover-up, continues to this day.
Fitz was a firefighter for the Salt Lake County/Unified Fire Authority for 28 years. During his time with the UFA, Fitz volunteered his time as the department photographer. On his days off, Fitz captured his fellow firefighters answering emergency calls and doing what he called, “extraordinary things.”
A talented photographer, Fitz shared the love of photography with his dad. It was during his time in Columbia growing up that he and Pete — the name his dad, Jim, was known by — would work in the dark room together. More than once, Fitz turned a hobby into a way to serve the fire department and the community. He photographed honor-guard ceremonies and is known throughout the West for his photography of honor-guard ceremonies of fallen brothers and sisters, near and far. It was a difficult and emotionally taxing task but following his dad’s lead in years of service to coal miners, it was not just an honor to be of service, Fitz felt it was his duty. Eventually, his duties evolved to include a Public Information Officer as well as a FEMA search and rescue K9 handler.
Fitz lived by three simple words, “Life is Duty.” The phrase comes from these lines of a poem by Louisa May Alcott: “I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty; I woke, and found that life was duty.” He was an example of duty, service, great compassion and most importantly, what it meant to be a friend to everyone. His kindness and devotion through service touched many.
Fitz was recognized for his dedication throughout his career. Fitz and his crew at Station 112 in Olympus Cove earned the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Life Saving Award in 2016. The Salt Lake branch of the NAACP also recognized Fitz for his service with a First Responders Award in 2017, an honor that touched him dearly. Recently, the Unified Fire Authority honored Fitz and his legacy by presenting him with the first “Life is Duty” award for community service. The award bears Fitz’s name and will be given to recognize those who go above and beyond expectations for outstanding service to our communities, as exemplified by Fitz’s life work. In August of 2023, Fitz was recognized for his service to Price by being selected as the Grand Marshall of International Days. The honors and accolades are too numerous to list.
In 2019, Fitz became the Price City Fire Chief. Fitz and his wife of 16 years, Francie, moved back to the place Fitz called home, Carbon County. Together, they lived their dream in the country with a few acres. As a newly self-proclaimed “gentleman farmer,” it was important to Fitz to make use of their new field. So, Fitz and Francie bought a tractor, boots and apparently, a book on what a city-slicker needs to know about being a farmer! They weren’t good farmers, but they were grateful farmers and what some would call great farmers… they gave away the hay they grew and baled. Fitz loved driving his big-green tractor as well as watching deer in their field.
Life was good in Price. Fitz joined a group most mornings for coffee, unofficially called the “Cowboy Caucus”. His brother Scooter would often make the journey from Salt Lake to join the caucus-making conversation, making jokes, and making friends. As the only two “liberal” members, they enjoyed the banter and antics which included the relentless jibes about the boys’ use of “liberal tears” in their coffee… that would be creamer. Jeff, Butch, Alan, Paul, Roy and the rest of the group, as well as the staff serving this motley crew, became very near and dear to Fitz. Their love and support humbled him.
Fitz had a drive to make the fire service better during his 32-year career. As Price City Fire Chief, Fitz worked hard to serve the community and the firefighters in the department as well as those in neighboring cities. He forged friendships. He continued being a teacher and a mentor. During his tenure as chief, Price City purchased a new fire engine to better protect the people of Price. Fitz was also grateful that he was able to play a part in replacing aging SCBAs to protect the firefighters under his watch.
In the fall of 2020, Fitz was diagnosed with cancer. The impact of the disease changed everything. Cancer has brought us to cry the tears we have today. In the days before his death, he told his wife Francie, “I’ll miss you.”
Fitz, we will miss you. As you travel from this life into the universe, hug your mom and dad, pet the puppies that are waiting for you at the door and please give Chanta and Eli our love.Fitz leaves behind his wife, Francie Aufdemorte; and his daughter, Erin Cisco-Peterson. He is survived by his brother, James Orvel “Scooter” Peterson III; sister, Natalie Peterson Cedeno; brother, Stacy Ray Peterson; and a much-loved aunt and uncle, Becky and Rean “Max” Vandongen; as well as many other family members, dear friends and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his mother Betty Janet Sanchez Peterson, father James Orvel Peterson Jr.; uncle Raymond Sanchez; and grandparents Florencio and Rebecca Sanchez and James Orvel “Blondie” and Wreda Oveson Peterson; and sister-in-law Chanta Peterson.
Because there is so much more to Fitz than can be said with a few written words on a page, we will gather to share our memories and love for him as well as honor his service on Saturday December 16, 2023 at 12:00 noon at the Carbon County Event Center (450 South Fairgrounds Way) in Price. The family will receive friends at the Carbon County Event Center, Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the Cliffview Cemetery in Price, Utah.
In lieu of flowers please consider adopting a homeless pet, donating to an organization that serves the homeless, or to the Price City Fire Department’s Sub for Santa program https://venmo.com/u/PriceFiresub4santa
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family are always welcome daily and may share memories of Fitz online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.