Gerald Anton Fritz, 82, was called home on the morning of January 26 th , 2022. He was born in Aussig, Germany (now Czech Republic) on September 11 th , 1939. In 1949, Gerald relocated to Worgl, Austria and remained there until 1960 when he moved to Munich, Germany and worked several jobs including at the Lowenbrau brewery. He soon enlisted in the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) and in 1964-65, was temporarily assigned to Ft. Bliss, Texas. He soon got the itch again for North America and in early 1966; he boarded a ship from Hamburg and sailed across the Atlantic, finally landing in Montreal, Canada. He then took a train and rode across Canada, finally settling in Calgary, Alberta. In 1968, he married Ruby Heavyrunner and later had a son and a daughter. While living in Calgary throughout the ‘60s until the early ‘80s, he worked as a General Contractor for NuWest, performing finishing work on new homes. After divorcing his wife Ruby, he and his children relocated to Bigfork, Montana and then later, Kalispell, Montana. He worked as an independent contractor doing the same type of work he did in Canada. After a work-related injury in 1995, he retired and relocated to Portland, Oregon and in 2000, Des Moines, WA. He is survived by his son, Nelson of Des Moines, WA and his daughter Barbara of Kempten, Germany. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Stefan, his granddaughter, Victoria also of Kempten, Germany. He was preceded in death by his father (1985) and mother (1999). Arrangements and services are being performed by Cady Cremation and Funeral Services of Kent, WA.