Frederick Carl Fairbairn

Fredrick Carl Fairbairn was born to Bud and Ann Fairbairn on August 4th, 1966 and passed away unexpectedly on July 31st, 2014. Born and raised in Merced, Fred attended Weaver Elementary School and Merced High School. He delivered flowers at his mom’s flower shop, The Weed Patch Floral, for many years. Out of high school, Fred worked at Rocking on Film, taking concert pictures and also took pictures for the Merced Sun Star. Fred spent a few winters working at Dodge Ridge and he also worked as a Service Technician at his dad’s trucking company, RBJ Transport. For the past ten years he worked at Schoettler Tire.

Fred left an impression on everyone’s heart. He was one of the “coolest guys around” and there wasn’t anyone who didn’t like him. He would make people laugh with his crazy jokes and infectious iconic laugh. Intelligent and strong in his beliefs, Fred would enlighten others with his elaborate, interesting stories.

Fred was an artist and put his creative twist on everything he made, whether it was a photograph, painting, sculpture or song lyric. In high school he worked on the school yearbook and developed a love of photography. He also had a great interest in aircraft, the sky and outer space. He photographed aircrafts like the Thunder Birds, Blue Angles and the Goodyear Blimp. He loved videotaping and making videos and putting on YouTube. He enjoyed making rockets and flying RC helicopters. He also flew kites that he enhanced with LED lights and he enjoyed setting off fireworks. Music was also a passion for Fred. He attended many concerts from a young age. Favorite bands were Kiss and U2. Fred was a musician himself, played the drums, bass guitar and wrote lyrics.

Fred is preceded in death by his mother and father, Ann and Bud Fairbairn. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Vicki and Tim Prothro, four nieces, their spouses and significant others, Rhonda and Richard Rogers, Michelle and Mike Shepherd, Barbara Prothro and Andrew Macias, Samantha Prothro and Abraham Navoa, great nieces and nephews, Marley, Lilly, Riley, Maverick, Bradyn and Noah.

Fred will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services will be held Saturday, August 9th at 11 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2916 N McKee with graveside services to follow at Evergreen Mausoleum. Remembrances can be made in Fred’s memory to Merced SPCA, 1021 E. Childs Ave., Merced, CA 95341 or the Humane Society, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037 and make checks payable to The HSUS.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.