Fred Daughtry was born on March 28, 1942 in Austin, Texas to Fred and Corine Daughtry. At 18 years of age, lacking a half credit to graduate, he dropped out of school and joined the Army National Guard. He was stationed in California before returning to Austin. Fred graduated from McCallum High School in 1961. While at McCallum he met Mary Warren. On October 5, 1962 they were married.
Mary was his first love, but soon after they were married he found his second when he joined the Austin Fire Department. Fred and Mary settled in Austin and started a family. Fred loved being a firefighter. During his 14 years as a firefighter, he was involved with the Firefighters Union, the Firefighter Museum, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. While Fred worked at the fire department, he also worked part-time at Sears.
Leaving the fire department was one of the most difficult decisions Fred ever had to make. He and Mary packed up the family and moved to the Dallas Ft-Worth area. Fred was called to become a pastor. He attended Southwestern Theological Seminary. After he was ordained, he returned to Austin where he served at Allandale Baptist Church and Great Hills Baptist Church before he served for two years at Park Heights Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas. From there, Fred returned home to Austin to be a pastor at Skyview Baptist Church. While serving at Skyview Baptist Church, he was asked to be the chaplain for Austin Fire. It touched his heart to serve his community in both roles. At this time he also was a member of the Civil Service Commission.
After Fred retired, he and Mary moved to Pflugerville. Fred continued to minister to local nursing homes and he and Mary became members of the First Baptist Church Pflugerville.
Fred loved his family. He was very proud of his three children, their spouses and nine grandchildren. After suffering a stroke in September 2019, there was a steady decline in Fred’s health. Fred passed away on Saturday, March 7 with his wife by his side.
Fred is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; his daughter, Penny Garcia and husband Ken; son, Jim Daughtry and wife Lisa; daughter, Amber Binion and her husband Brandall. His grandchildren are Aaron, Joseph, Allison, Jacob and wife Kaylee, Luc, Jordan, Karah, Madeline, and Max. Fred is also survived by sister, Judy Sturdivant and her husband Dwight; brother, Jimmie Daughtry; sister, Faye Harton and husband Larry; brother, Ricky Harrison and wife Pam; sister, Darlene Branson; sister, JoAnn Ramirez and husband Tana; brother, Paul Autrey, and numerous nieces and nephews. He loved and was loved by all.
Fred is preceded in death by his father, Fred Daughtry; his mother, Corine Rhodes Daughtry; and his sister, Linda Daughtry.
The family would like to thank Brookdale Hospice for the care they provided. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to First Baptist Church Pflugerville.
