Clement Joseph Fertitta Jr.

Clement Joseph “C.J.” Fertitta, Jr

A rosary will be held for Clement Joseph “C.J.” Fertitta, Jr on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 6:30pm at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore, followed by a visitation until 9pm. Services for Clement Joseph “C.J.” Fertitta, Jr, 80 of Kilgore will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2023 at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore. Burial will follow Danville Cemetery in Kilgore, Texas. Mr. Fertitta passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023 in Longview.

“C.J.” was born on December 2, 1942 in Houston, Texas to Mary Louise Murray and Clement Joseph Fertitta Sr.

Childhood years

C.J. was the nickname that his family gave him as an infant. He was born in Houston, Texas to

Mary Louise Murray Fertitta and Clement Joseph Fertitta (Bud). His Dad was in the Army Air Corp at the time. Later, the family moved to Colleyville, TX. CJ and his brothers went to Grapevine schools. During that time his family went to St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine.

Teenage and young adult years

As a teenager in high school, C.J. raised hogs as a Future Farmers of America (FFA) project where he got state recognition. After graduating high school, he went to college at Arlington State College (now University of Texas at Arlington). During that time, he joined the US Navy, signing up for 6 years, the first 2 years as an active reservist so he could finish college. He was very busy in those days, finding time to marry to Martha, and starting their family. Clement Joseph III, was born the following year. Soon after their son’s birth, C.J. was called up for 2 years of active duty in the Navy, assigned to the Naval Air Test Center in Lexington Park, Maryland. The following year their daughter Lisa was born. Just before finishing his term in the Navy, he was offered a job on the same base, doing the same job, but as a civilian. Which was a wonderful opportunity.

Growing Family

After a few years, C.J. and Martha purchased some land and built their first home. Later Christina and Sharon were born. Later C.J. and some co-workers formed a consulting company called PRB Associates, contracting their services to the Navy. It was mostly a desk job, and CJ enjoyed being a “hands on” kind of guy. A friend told him about a printing franchise, and C.J. seemed very interested. He talked Martha and a friend’s wife into opening this printing franchise called Kwik Kopy Printing in Lexington Park MD. CJ loved the mechanics of the print shop and since their children were getting older, so it seemed like a good investment. After 3 years, CJ and Martha decided that the print shop was the opportunity to move back to their home of Texas. Much investigating was done, and everything came together: they had signed up for the Kwik Kopy Printing franchise in Texas, a location was found, their house sold. Within 3 months they packed up and moved to East Texas. They looked like the Beverly Hillbilly’s from the TV show, going down the road: a rented box truck pulling a red Farmall tractor, a pick- up truck pulling a trailer full of treasured belongings, and an olive-green colored station wagon. Since they had 3 vehicles, their son, 16 at the time, got to drive that wonderful experience! Later that green station wagon got to be the “family car” that all teens dreaded driving to school! The Fertitta’s settled in Kilgore in 1981, opened their business, their 4 kids going to Sabine Schools, and purchased a house. Wow, what a change.

New business, Teens, and New Friends

Getting started as a new business in Kilgore was exciting. CJ was very good at studying each piece of equipment before purchasing it for the business. He built all the tables needed for finishing jobs after printing. The 4 kids all helped at home and at the business. As a family, they learned that “People do business with people they know”.

A different stage of life

The children grew up, went their own ways, and the family went through other changes. Heart broken at the unexpected loss of their son in 1993, CJ looked for answers. Grief of losing a child causes many emotions. He and Martha divorced in 2000, each went their own way in life, yet keeping in touch through the business, and their daughters.

New Beginnings

CJ met Lorie in 2000 and married May 13, 2006. Together they raise Lorie’s three children, Justin, Britney and Kyle. He loved and protected him as his own always. They build them together in Kilgore and 2002 and sent another generation through Sabine Schools. CJ and Lori enjoyed spending time with all of their families and particularly enjoyed having older kids, grands and great grands around.

CJ branched out at the end of his franchise agreement with Kwik Kopy printing in 2006 to run independently with as a Kilgore print center where he worked alongside Lorie until April 2023. He loved his job and was passionate about solving unique challenges that sometimes came along with it. CJ was affectionately known by many as “Grandfather” but he was also known to sometimes refer to himself as the “Big Bad Wolf” when making phone calls to friends. CJ love to travel and see new places. He was able to enjoy many years of traveling with Lorie and anyone else that wanted to tag along.

CJ attended Grace Fellowship of Kilgore for many years in his later life, even helping in the children’s ministry at times.

In his last few months, CJ was able to be home from work with his wife Lori, taking care of him.

CJ found a new family to love, yet keeping his own children close. He loved his new family and they loved him for these many years, until his death this week.

He is proceeded in death by his son, Clement Joseph Fertitta III, his mother, Mary Louise Fertitta, father, Clement Joseph “Bud” Fertitta Sr., and his brother, Anthony L. Fertitta.

Left to cherish his life and memory is his wife, Lorie Keen Fertitta of Kilgore; daughters, Lisa Francis Jaronitzky of Anchorage, Alaska, Christina Gay Burckel, Lindale, Texas, Sharon Ann Denton of White Oak, Texas; stepson, Justin Harley Hudson of Kilgore, Texas, stepdaughter, Brittany Morgan Napier of Kilgore, Texas, and stepson Bradley Kyle Hudson of Kilgore, Texas; brothers, Terry M. Fertitta of Harrisonburg, Virginia, John R. Fertitta of Henderson, Virginia: sister, Ann Marie Turnage of Richmond, Virginia, and numerous nieces, nephews and other loving family members.

Please leave online condolences at www.raderfuneralhome.com