November 20, 1925 - November 5, 2020
Fred passed peacefully from his nearly 95 years on this earth into eternity with the quiet confidence that Jesus Christ was his Savior. Fred was born in Van Voorhis, Pennsylvania to Jack and Anna (Gorbal) Pradko on November 20, 1925. He had one sister Helen (Pradko) Wheaton. The family moved to Hamtramck, Michigan in 1929.
Fred Pradko could be described as a man of great love. At his core was a love of Jesus, a love of family, a love of learning and a love of his country.
Fred grew up attending the Russian Orthodox church before marrying the love of his life, Marilyn Ruth Little of Windsor, Ontario and settling in southeastern Michigan. Their marriage sparked a growth in his faith and ignited many years of learning, service and leadership in Lakeshore Presbyterian Church in St. Clair Shores, University Presbyterian Church in Rochester, the founding of Saint Thomas Community Church in Shelby Township and later, membership in St Paul’s Methodist Church in Rochester.
Raising and teaching his children, and anyone else who sought his advice, was a high priority in his life. As for values, Fred’s list was long, but he taught by example – life-long learning, hard work, loyalty, love of family, faith, and never a fear to try new things. As he advised others about career choices:
“Never walk around the edge of the unknown. Get right in the middle of it.”
- Fred Pradko
Fred is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-four years, Marilyn, of Shelby Township, their five children and spouses: Dr. Brian and Sandy Pradko of Richmond, Dr. John and Paige Pradko of Rochester, Dr. James and Dr. Jackie Pradko of Chesterfield, Michael and Kimberly Pradko of Massachusetts, and Elisabeth and David Breuhan of Rochester. He is also survived by his grandchildren David and Kristin Pradko (Virginia), Adam and Kristina Pradko, Dr. Ryan Pradko, Jake Pradko, Blake Pradko, Nathan Breuhan, Amanda Breuhan, and Faith Breuhan, (all of Michigan), Emily and Major Jack Johnston (Alaska), Rachel Pradko (Arkansas), Meghan and Matthew Pompa (Texas), Joshua Pradko (Virginia), Benjamin Pradko (Massachusetts), as well as nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the US and Canada.
Fred was a Corporal in the US Marine Corp. during WW II. He deployed to the Pacific Theater and was later stationed in China. His love for his country continued with a thirty-five-year civilian career in the US Army where he was involved in a number of fundamental research projects and vehicle development programs. He retired from government service as the Deputy Chief of the M60 tank program. He served as a project engineer for Texas Instruments before fully retiring at the age of seventy.
Fred was a life-long learner. He never missed an opportunity to encourage others to do what they loved but to back it up with education. He earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University under the GI bill, and later, his masters in Mechanical Engineering and PhD in Public Administration. Fred was an unstoppable builder and serial tinkerer. He embarked on projects that might seem outsized for one man, but through his quiet confidence he always attracted the help he needed. He never shied away from trying something new, including discovering and developing his talent as a watercolor artist late in life, or buying his first bicycle while in his nineties.
His love and light will be greatly missed.
Interment will be private.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Fred & Marilyn Pradko will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 10:30 am at St Paul’s United Methodist Church 620 Romeo Rd. Rochester, MI 48307. Please join the Pradko Family as they honor and celebrate their parents. They look forward to greeting family and friends at the Luncheon immediately following the service at Twin Lakes Golf Course, Noon-2pm at 455 Twin Lakes Dr, Oakland, MI 48363.
Donations in memory of Fred Pradko may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation with acknowledgements mailed to: Pradko Family, PO Box 311, Franklin, MA 02038
https://tunnel2towers.org/donate/
