Frederick Hall Schneider

Frederick Hall Schneider III, surrounded by his loving family, passed from this life to his next peacefully at his home in Baton Rouge in the early hours of Nov. 6, 2010. He was born Sept. 21, 1936, in Lake Providence, the only son of Sara Regenold Schneider and Frederick Hall Schneider Jr. Described by one of his friends as "First Class Freddy," Fred excelled in so many of his endeavors due to his hard work and passion for life. The characteristics that we most appreciated were that of being a faithful husband, a fabulous father, a perfect brother, a wonderful role model, and a gentleman. Fred was a cotton farmer in Lake Providence for 45 years and had lived in Baton Rouge since his retirement. He was a graduate of LSU and a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He was an active, lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry and often as senior warden of Grace Episcopal Church in Lake Providence. He was instrumental in the formation of Briarfield Academy, where he served as a founding board member for 16 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the Louisiana Cotton Producers Association. He served on boards for the National Cotton Council, Cotton Inc. and the First National Bank of Lake Providence. In 1984, he was named Cotton Farming Magazine's "Cotton Farmer of the Year." He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Sara Ann Schneider Mott; brother-in-law, Joe Mott; mother-in-law, Constance Regenold; and nephew, Gregory Allen. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Connie Allen Schneider; six children and their families: Susan and Paul Cambon, Paul Jr. and Ara, Anna Lee, Allen and Sara, all of Alexandria, Va., Renee and Teddy Schneider, Mary Kathryn and David Crigler and great-granddaughter Camille, Madelyn, and Hall, all of Lake Providence, Elizabeth and Todd Schneider, Madelyn and Sam, all of Alexandria, Gwyn and Tim Schneider, Evans and Isabel, all of Atlanta, Amy and Scott Schneider, Scottie, Emily Anne, Will, and Jack, all of Lake Oconee, Ga., and Maria and Brant Mitchell, Megan, Davis, and Claire, all of Baton Rouge; two sisters, Gay and husband Bob Warren, of Denver, and Nanette and husband George Beach, of Shreveport; stepbrother, Donal Botkin, of San Francisco; a brother-in-law, Lee Allen and wife Beverly, of Tulsa, Okla.; and a host of nieces and nephews. One of his nieces appropriately described him as a true patriarch of our large family. Dad was truly a role model for all of us. The highest form of compliment that we can all offer is to emulate the life of our father. Thank you, Dad, for providing us with the most wonderful gifts of life. Special thanks to Fred's many caregivers throughout his illness including Dr. Louis Minsky, Alzheimer's Service of Baton Rouge, Susan Sellers, Cynthia Alsbrook, Lynn Temple, Amanda McAffery, and Hospice Services of Baton Rouge - Susan, Ruby, Beth, and Denise. A funeral service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Mark Holland officiating. Visitation will precede the service in the parish house from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A memorial service will also be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Lake Providence on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to either Alzheimer's Services of Baton Rouge or to Hospice of Baton Rouge.