With profound sadness, the Fitch family announces that Donn Wayne Fitch, Jr., 56, died peacefully while surrounded by his wife and family on July 15, 2024, at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, after a long and miraculous battle against melanoma. A Coronado High School football player and wrestler, Donn was also an offensive lineman at the collegiate level. He graduated from Arizona State University and University of Phoenix and spent the last 20 years as a financial advisor with TIAA. Donn was legendarily gregarious, and never met a human he didn't immediately win over with his uniquely sincere charm. Donn brought immeasurable joy and laughter to literally everyone who crossed his path. In 2012, he married Tonya Watson, the love of his life, whose attentiveness and care enabled and inspired Donn to live to the fullest despite his illness. He is survived by his wife, Tonya; his children, Emily (Fitch) Ohanian and her husband Nick, Charlie Fitch and Julia Fitch; his mother, Sharon; and his sister, Laurie, and her husband, Pedro Reis. He was preceded in death by his father, Donn Wayne Fitch, Sr and infant sister, Denise. A memorial service honoring Donn will be held on Saturday, July 20, at 12:00pm at Scottsdale United Methodist Church, 4140 Miller Road. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Donn W. Fitch Fund at The Angeles Clinic- Cedars Sinai, where he received impeccable care for the last 15 years, in support of travel grants for melanoma patients with financial need. By Check: Checks should be made payable to The Angeles Clinic - Cedars Sinai, and in the memo line insert In Memory of Donn W. Fitch-Dr. Omid Hamid and mailed to Cedars - Sinai Advancement Attn: Laura Asok 8700 Beverly Blvd., Suite 2416 Los Angeles, CA 90048

A formal obituary to follow from the family.