Fred Bowman Pence

He was born on January 7, 1934 in Timberville, and was the son of the late Paul S. and Hallie Bowman Pence.

Fred was a superior athlete during his time at McGaheysville High School and Bridgewater College. He earned nine varsity letters while playing basketball, football and track in college. During the 1954-55 seasons he served as team captain of all three sports. Fred was named to the All-State Little Six football team following the 1953 season. In 2002 Fred was inducted into the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Bridgewater College cum laude with degrees in Mathematics and Physical Education, and a minor in Biology, he entered the Armed Forces for two years.

Subsequently, Fred began a career in education, coaching football and basketball at Montevideo High School. He was the first football coach to achieve a winning record at the school. His career record was 42-31-3.

In 1963, Fred received Madison College’s first Master of Mathematics degree. He was selected Teacher of the Year at Montevideo High School in 1975 and 1978 at Spotswood High School in 1995. In 1983, he was named the State Mathematics Teacher of the Year.

Fred began teaching in 1957 and retired in 1996 from Rockingham County School system. He continued teaching calculus at JMU for seven years.

Fred has been an active member in his church at Cooks Creek Presbyterian for many years where he was deacon and superintendent of Sunday school. Fred was an Eagle Scout and was awarded the Order of the Arrow-the highest award possible in the scouting program. He was also a member of Bridgewater College Eagle Club, VARE and Shenandoah Valley Athletics Club. Fred graded National AP calculus exams for high school, led a mission team to Mexico 1994 and 1997, and had numerous awards on the school district state and national levels.

On March 31, 1961, he married Carolyn Billhimer Pence of Harrisonburg who survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Ann-Carol Pence of Duluth, GA and Anthony Rodriguez; a brother Larry S. Pence and wife, Mandy, of Harrisonburg; sister-in-law, Janice L. Pence of McGaheysville; nieces and nephews, Dr. Steven Pence, Dr. Robert Pence, Melissa Pence-Howard and Jennifer Pence.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Pence.

The family will receive friends 6-8:00 PM on Monday, February 2, 2015 at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. The casket will be closed.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Cooks Creek Presbyterian Church with Pastor George Evans officiating. Private burial will be held earlier at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cooks Creek Presbyterian Church, 4222 Mt. Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg, VA, 22802, Bridgewater College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 402 East College St., College Box 33, Bridgewater, VA 22812 or Aurora Theatre, P. O. Box 2014, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.