Laurence Julius FitzSimon
Laurence Julius FitzSimon (January 31, 1895 – July 2, 1958) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Amarillo in Texas from 1941 until his death in 1958. Biography Early life Laurence FitzSimon was born on January 31, 1895, in San Antonio, Texas, to John and Theodora (née Okelmann) FitzSimon. His family moved to Castroville, Texas, the following year. He entered St. Anthony's College in San Antonio in 1907, then went to the Pontifical North American College in Rome in 1911. In 1916, bad health forced FitzSimon to return to Texas. After recuperating, FitzSimon enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as a pharmacist's mate on a minesweeper during World War I. After his discharge from the Navy in 1919, he resumed his theological studies at St. Meinrad's Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana. Priesthood FitzSimon was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph Chartrand for the Archdiocese of San Antonio on May 17, 1921 at St. Meinrad. After his ordination, FitzSimon was assigned as a faculty member at St. John's Seminary in San Antonio. In 1926, he left St. John's to serve as pastor of a parish in Runge, Texas.