Jennifer Fritz Obituary

JENNIFER LEE FRITZ

May 24, 1945 – June 27, 2024

Jennifer was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, to parents Lehman Gerald "Jerry" Jenkins and Betty Jane Jenkins, nee Dennis. Her dad was in an Idaho National Guard Company that was activated and sent to Europe as a Tank Crewman. After WWII ended on his birthday, which everybody celebrated, Jennifer's dad returned to Idaho. The Jenkins family then embarked on a trip across the southwestern U.S. as Jennifer's dad was a Heavy Equipment Operator on several construction projects. In Flagstaff, Arizona, Jennifer attended Kindergarten at the Teacher's College, now NAU. The Jenkins family continued westward, finally settling in Bakersfield, California, in time to experience the 1952 earthquakes. Jennifer's family then moved into a new home in east Bakersfield where she attended Sierra Jr. High and then East Bakersfield High School.

In 1966 Jennifer married James Robert "Jim" Fritz, a US Navy Veteran, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Jim was a Clark County Sheriff's Deputy. A couple years later, Jennifer and Jim moved back to Bakersfield, as a forever home. Jennifer began working as an operator at Pacific Bell Phone Co. and Jim as a Kern County Deputy Sheriff.

Jennifer continued with PacBell (later AT&T) as a construction supply person. She was also a CWA Union Steward and a member of the Kern/Mono/Inyo counties labor council. Jennifer retired from AT&T in 1993.

Jennifer enjoyed antique shopping and collected old hats and hat boxes, and depression glassware.

Jennifer loved the cool air and sea breezes of the central coast, and the good times with family and friends at Pismo Sands RV Park. Her dad even stayed there for some months before his passing.

Jennifer was predeceased by her mom and dad, Betty and Jerry Jenkins; her older brother, Gerald Rodney Jenkins; and her sister, Jalana Marie Walters.

Jennifer is survived bu her husband of 57 years, James Fritz of Bakersfield; brother and sister-in-law, Randy and Linda Jenkins of Green Bay, WI.; son, David Scott Fritz of Bakersfield; son and daughter-in-law, Gerald Bryan "Jerry" and Angie Fritz of Flagstaff, AZ.; grandson, Jerrett Fritz and fiancée Marissa, and Jorden Fritz, all of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Jennifer is also survived by her best friends: Linda Halbrook, Patsy Robison, and Rhelda Hughes.

At Jennifer's insistence, there will be no services or memorials.

Rest in peace Jennifer Lee. You will always be my love. – Jim

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