History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our Story

Since 1936, Fitzgerald Funeral Service has served Tulsa and surrounding areas with caring, trustworthy service. Our team of professionals place every detail-before, during and after the funeral period-as their first priority.Our downtown Tulsa funeral home was the first location, setting forth the reputation of providing dignity and respect for families of all faiths. Ivy Chapel is located at 1402 South Boulder Avenue, offering eloquent design and furnishings. Large staterooms, chapel and ample parking are just a few of the fine amenities Ivy has to offer for your comfort and convenience.As Tulsa grew, so did the Fitzgerald organization and in 2000, built the Southwood Colonial Chapel location at 3612 East 91st Street South, elegantly positioned near Calvary Cemetery. The Southwood Chapel location offers a family center with full kitchen, utilities and fireplace. Spacious staterooms and ample visiting areas accommodate even the largest families.

Feel free to contact any of our funeral home staff should you have questions or would like to tour the grounds and facilities.

Our Valued Staff

  • Dr. Joseph  Moore

    Dr. Joseph Moore, Owner-President

    Dr. Moore is a third generation funeral home owner. He is the son of legendary Tulsa funeral director Joe M. Moore. Dr. Moore worked at Moore Funeral Home, Inc while in high school. Then, after attaining his undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and M.D. from The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, he practiced medicine in northeast Oklahoma for more than 32 years. For 27 of those years, he specialized in treating blood and cancer-related disorders with Oklahoma Oncology, Inc., which later became incorporated into the Warren Clinics. Dr. Moore retired from the practice of medicine in October of 2013. He serves as Owner & General Manager of Fitzgerald Funeral Service. His hobbies are jogging, golfing, traveling and watching OU, OSU, and TU football.

  • Dr. LaFonda Ehlers

    Dr. LaFonda Ehlers, Financial Manager & Officer

    LaFonda decided to work for Fitzgerald Funeral Service because of their outstanding reputation and their assurance that “Tulsa families have someone they can count on when they need them the most”. Her grandfather was a funeral director in Tulsa for decades. She feels it is quite a special quality in someone to aspire to help grieving families, doing so with unprecedented customer service. Her goal at Fitzgerald's is to efficiently & effectively lead all areas of finance, human resources, administration, and operations, helping develop company policy and procedure that ensure compliance with business regulations, SAP, tax laws and industry standards. LaFonda holds a B.S. in Business Administration, a M.S. in Business Administration, a M.S. in Healthcare Administration, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. She's also pursuing a second Doctorate in Healthcare Administration. A native Tulsan, she’s lived in CA, Europe & Asia, but settled back in Oklahoma where most of her family lives.

  • Koby  Creason

    Koby Creason, Location Manager/Funeral Director-Southwood Chapel

    A native of Beggs, Oklahoma, Koby started his career at Fitzgerald's Southwood location in 2011 in the role of funeral director/embalmer, and then was promoted to Manager in 2016. He earned his degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. Only thirty-two years old, his interest and involvement in the funeral profession began when he was only 18. What he enjoys about working for Moore's is the "great camaraderie with all the employees, Dr. Moore's leadership and support, and the work-life balance that gives him time with family." He chose the funeral service profession because of his passion for helping families get through the most difficult time of their lives, and dedicates himself to being there for them for whatever they need. Koby was raised in the Catholic faith, and his faith is an important part of his life. In his spare time, Koby is a big OU sports fan, enjoys NASCAR, is a outdoor culinary enthusiast (i.e., loves to grill), and is an avid corn hole player, even taking that skill to tournaments! He has two daughters, Ellie and Lainey

  • David  Dopp

    David Dopp, Location Manager/Funeral Director-Ivy Chapel

    David Dopp is a native Tulsan and 1961 graduate of Will Rogers High School. He entered the funeral service immediately after graduating high school on May 20, 1961, working for Coulter Brown Funeral Home. He attended Dallas Institute Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science, graduating in February 1964. David joined Fitzgerald Funeral Service in January 1965 and was Vice President from 1978 until 2011. He served as president of OFDA (Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association) from 1989-1990. After the death of two of his partners in 2010, Fitzgerald was purchased by Moore Funeral Homes. David was a little concerned about the merger, but now knows it has been very good for both firms. Dr. Joe Moore has continued the level of excellent service for both companies. David is very glad to be a member of both teams. In his younger years, David loved sports cars and was past president of the Tulsa Area Mustang Car Club. He took up golf when he was 35, joined Meadowbrook Country Club in 2001 and still enjoys a golf day when he can. He has been a Rotarian for over 45 years and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Tulsa. He also is a member of the Tulsa Mens Club. In 2013, David and Tammy proudly welcomed their son, Davis, to the family. David serves as manager of Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel and looks forward to more years serving the families of Tulsa.

  • April  Rowden-Goins

    April Rowden-Goins, Funeral Director- Southwood Chapel

    As a teenager, April felt the Lord call her to the service of others as a funeral director. The opportunity to help those who are grieving is truly a ministry for her. “It is such an intimate time for a family and being on that journey with the loved ones of those who have passed away is truly an honor for me”. April grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and graduated from high school there in 1993. Following high school, she pursued her education, and attended Northern Oklahoma College, in Tonkawa, and then completed her education in Mortuary Science at the University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond. Throughout her 25-year career, she has been blessed to have worked with, and been taught by, some of the best funeral professionals in our industry. These wonderful mentors helped to mold and shape her into the funeral director she is today. April feels blessed to be a part of the Moore and Fitzgerald family of funeral homes and appreciates their mutual dedication to providing exceptional care to those who are grieving. April is a devout follower of Jesus, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, their family, and friends.

  • Levi  Olsen

    Levi Olsen, Funeral Director-Ivy Chapel

    Levi has a heart for serving others and has been given the opportunity to serve friends and family as long as he can remember. At the age of 13, Levi discovered his true calling to be funeral director. A caring and compassionate funeral director who helped his grandmother make funeral arrangements, inspired a dream in Levi to become a funeral director himself. Since his 2008 graduation from the University of Central Oklahoma (Edmond), Levi and has been a licensed embalmer and funeral director with Moore Funeral Homes and Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel. Since 1998 Levi, his wife Paula, have been members of Victory Church in Tulsa. In his spare time, Levi enjoys reading, bike riding, and being politically involved. They have one adult son, Hank.

  • Shaina Agee

    Shaina Agee, Administrative Assistant-Southwood Chapel

  • Carmen  Choate

    Carmen Choate, Administrative Assistant-Ivy Chapel

    Carmen enjoys working as receptionist and office administrator at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel. A native of Oklahoma City, she chose to attend and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University. After her marriage to Kent, who has been in ministry their entire marriage, they lived in Texas for 17 years, until moving to Oklahoma City. She has lived in Sand Springs for 14 years and rejoined the full-time workforce in 2010, at Fitzgerald’s. Carmen enjoys traveling with her husband, reading, gardening and has sewn many home décor items over the years. She and her husband, Kent, have three grown married sons, one grandson and one granddaughter (on the way), and three very spoiled doxies.

  • Larry  Breen

    Larry Breen, Funeral Assistant

    Larry is a native Texan and USMC veteran. He worked as a manager with Gibson Department Stores in Texas before joining the funeral business, in 1972. Larry moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1989. He later attended Rogers State College while working at Arnold Moore Funeral Homes, in Bartlesville. Larry is proud to serve our families. His experience and skills, from working in the funeral business for more than 40 years, are invaluable. Larry enjoys time at rodeos, with his family, and teaching his children to love and ride horses. He is married to Cindy and has three children, Tanner, Meagan and Briggs

  • Lance  Acree

    Lance Acree, Pre-Planning Counselor

    Lance Acree has been helping families prearrange their funerals in advance since 2002. He grew up in the Tulsa area and takes great pride in his heritage here. He is married to Annessa Acree and they have two sons, Ethan and Evan. Lance’s professional background also includes a wealth of cemetery experience with some of the largest cemeteries in the state of Oklahoma. He believes Pre-Planning is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your family. Pre-Planning your final wishes allows your loved ones to focus on the healing process rather than being faced with many decisions and the financial burden during such a difficult time. Lance is available to meet with you at any time at your home or one of our many locations

  • Wes  Wadkins

    Wes Wadkins, Pre-Planning Counselor

    Wes Wadkins, a pre-planning advisor, has been representing Fitzgerald Funeral Service for the past eight years. He and his wife of forty-seven years, Marisa, have three children, and six grandchildren. As a National Funeral Directors Association Certified PrePlanning Consultant, I am dedicated to serving our community. My core values are to serve families with integrity, respect, and service excellence. I am passionate about helping people prepare for one of the most difficult days of their lives by ensuring that all of their funeral arrangements are taken care of in advance. While working with Fitzgerald Funeral Service, I am able to provide families the security of knowing all of their final wishes will be carried out, critical decisions and tasks are handled now, and costs are addressed in advance. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you and your family.