On December 18, 2020, Keith M Fred, loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor passed away at the age of 79, one month before his 80th birthday. Keith was born January 16, 1941 in Levelland, TX to L. Gibbs Fred and Zelma M. Grice Fred. Keith was the youngest of 8 children.
On February 10, 1962 Keith married Nadine Canard Fred. They raised three children, Todd, Nichole and Jessica. Keith was preceded in death by his father, his mother, one brother Troy, three sisters, Jean, Dell and Gaylene; and one son, Todd. He is survived by his wife Nadine; two daughters, Nichole Robinson (Calvin) and Jessica Maloney (Craig); daughter-in-law Kim, and grandchildren, Brandon (Melissa) Robinson, Spencer Fred, Sydney Fred and Alisha Robinson (Austin) Shaw. He is also survived by two sisters, Louise Newton and Nell Frey Morris of Levelland, TX; one brother, Bobby (Helen) Fred of Denver City, TX and a host of nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.
Keith attended South Plains Junior College in Levelland, TX before graduating from Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, New Mexico where he received a BS degree in 1964 and MS in 1965. He received his Ed.D degree in Exercise Physiology & Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1972. Keith’s career began in 1965 at Flint Community Junior College in Flint, MI, where he was the Intramural Director, taught physical education and coached the track team. In 1967 his career took him to Illinois State University in Normal, IL where he started as assistant and then Director of Intramurals and eventually became the Director of Campus Recreation.
In 1981 Keith wanted to return to his Texas roots to be near his family. It was then that he entered into a business venture in Dallas, TX with Donna and Anton Skell at Skell Enterprises, where they were building and operating a chain of 9 Cosmopolitan Lady health clubs and in conjunction with the health club industry developed a software company, HealthCheck, Inc. In 1993-2003 other business ventures took him to Memphis, TN, and Sarasota, FL before retiring.
The theme throughout Keith’s life has been a personal ministry to serve others and encourage them to find their faith in Jesus. Even though he was an introvert by nature, he went out of his way to connect with others, to pray for needs he saw on a daily basis. He especially had a heart for children and those who struggled in life. His love was for their spiritual well-being and he sought to encourage their faith. He especially loved his family – Nadine, his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and many friends.
He spent a lifetime in pursuit of being physically fit – working out every day of his life in some capacity, earlier years in jogging and weight lifting, in his later years he moved to walking and at the fitness center to the elliptical machine and weight lifting. Even on the morning of his death, he did his weight workout in the garage (which he had started doing during Covid).
Keith was an active part of our community HOA Board. It was his last act, sitting on the sofa answering emails one minute and next he was called home. The family is thankful he did not suffer and miss him so much already. Those of us close to him knew that his main desire was to return to his Maker and Savior.
A Celebration of Life has been planned 2 days after Keith’s 80th birthday on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the Bent Tree Bible Fellowship Chapel, 4141 International Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75007. The church is set up for social distancing and we respectfully request that you wear masks. For those uncomfortable with attending in person, the service will be recorded and Zoom conferencing will be made available during the service. A link will be made available here on this site prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Roaring Lambs Ministries, 17110 Dallas Parkway, Suite 260 Dallas, TX 75248.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Fred family.
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