Frederick Dick H. Eldredge

Mr. Eldredge was born in Chicago on Friday, September 13th, 1912, and good fortune continued throughout his life. He was the son of Clarence H. and Gail W. Eldredge. Raised in the St. Louis area, he graduated from University City High School and attended Washington University. Mr. Eldredge later attended The University of Missouri, and was a lifetime member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

In 1935 he married Delna Clay Fielder and their sixty year marriage was a testament to their unwavering love and devotion to each other and their three daughters. She preceded him in death in 1995.

During World War II, he served as a purser-pharmacist in the U.S. Maritime Service. He was employed by the Singer Co., D’Arcy Advertising Co., Hearst Publishing Co., and Dun & Bradstreet Publishing Co., as a Publishers Representative and managed offices in St. Louis, Chicago, and Dallas. Mr. Eldredge was an avid sailor and served as Commodore of Rush Creek Yacht Club, Heath, TX. He was an Elder in Presbyterian churches in Winnetka, IL and Dallas, TX. After his retirement in 1983, he moved to Davidson, NC where he served on the Planning Board, was an active Lions Club member, and pursued his love of sailing serving as Harbormaster at four marinas operated by The Lake Norman Co.

He resided at The Carriage Club of Charlotte for five years serving as President of the Resident Association before moving to Plantation Estates. There he met and married Bonnie (Kathleen) Funderburke in 1997and their happy union closed with her death in 2009. During their marriage, they were active members of Matthews Presbyterian Church. Bonnie’s three daughters, Kathleen Nunnally of Charlotte, Sandra Lonon of Bigfork, MT, and Bonnie Jo Sutton of Raleigh, NC and families were loving additions to Dick’s family circle.

His quick wit and unmatched sense of humor, creativity, ability to make and keep friends, generous acts of kindness and unconditional love for his family are priceless memories he leaves his three daughters, Gail C. Petit of New York ,NY, Delna E. Fox and husband, Jerry, Thelma E. Wilson, and husband Tom of Charlotte, brother Robert W. Eldredge of Bradenton, FL, five grandchildren, Russell F. Christopher and wife Julie, Angela W. Haynie and husband Jimmy, Laura W. Vagianos and husband Mike, Joy. E. Fox, of Charlotte, and Julie F. Braddock and husband Daniel, of Charleston, SC, and five great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Lauren Fox, Wilson and Thomas Haynie, and Otto Vagianos.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17th at Plantation Estates with Chaplain Larry Watts officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Samaritan Fund of Plantation Estates, 733 Plantation Estates Drive, Matthews, NC 28105 or an organization of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to extend special thanks for the compassionate care provided by the WillowBrooke Court staff at Plantation Estates and Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region.