Dr. J. Donald Fite

Dr. John Donald Fite entered heaven on August 16, 2021. Don Fite and his identical mirror twin brother, James David Fite, were born to Rev. Clifton and Ruby Blackwelder Fite in Fort Worth, Texas on Dec. 23, 1933. Dr. Fite graduated from the Berry High School for Boys at Mount Berry, Georgia in 1951. Dr. Fite knew from an early age he wanted to be a doctor, following his heart he studied pre-med at Wake Forest University, (Class 54). He earned his Medical Degree in 1958 at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. While attending MCG, he joined Woodlawn Baptist Church where he met Mary Francis Mixon swooping her up as his bride. His draft deferral ended at his MCG graduation. He joined the Navy taking his new bride, along. Lieutenant Fite served his country with joy and pride in the Medical Core as a flight surgeon in Pensacola, Fl and Newport, RI. After completing his term of service he moved the family to Avondale Estates for his residency at Grady Hospital. To deepen his specialized medical training he hauled the growing family to John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. under the tutelage of Dr. Frank B. Walsh the “Father of Neuro-Ophthalmology.” This treasured opportunity. spring boarded Dr. Fite into an associate professorship at Emory University also creating a professional niche for him to join fellow ophthalmologists Drs. Rice, Rowell and McDowell of Decatur. Dr. Fite became the ‘go to’ neuro-ophthalmologist in the community until his retirement. He has authored professional articles and served in various officer positions for many professional organizations.

Unknown to an outsider, no one would suspect Don Fite was a self-taught master machinist. Digging deeper, he self-taught: golf, building kaleidoscopes and furniture to name a few. He was known to bring home a part from the office to “repair.” Building scale steam engines was his top passion. Don was a member of Mid-South Live Steamers, North Georgia Live Steam and an emeritus member of Canton, St. Paul and Pacific.

The Fites have been active members of Avondale First Baptist Church since 1963. He has served his Lord and his community for many years, sometimes in a public role but mainly from behind the scenes. He would rather be remembered for being a loving husband, father, teacher, student and a friend.

Dr. Don Fite is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Mixon Fite; children, Karen F. Mathews and Carl D. Fite, and granddaughter Ruby Sky Mathews; his sister, Angeline Fite Vandine, AZ, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers line, please send contributions to Ruby & Clifton Fite Scholarship Fund, Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA.

Ruby & Clifton Fite Scholarship, Berry College, 2277 Martha Berry Hwy, NW, Mt Berry, GA 30149

Interment will be a family service at Westover Cemetery, Augusta, GA.