Frederick James Deaux

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Frederick James Deaux who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional "old school" morals, Fred was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Fred knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his family.

His parents were Ethel and Clyde Deaux. Fred was born and raised in Summerdale, Alabama. Even as a youngster, Fred learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Fred was able to put his natural abilities to work. Fred was raised with five siblings, Walter, Margaret, Evelyn, Eleanor and Clyde (Buddy).

Fred's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Fred enjoyed being part of sports teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Fred took part in baseball and football. He was a Boy Scout. Fred's memorable achievements included playing violin.

In school, Fred was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of his classes. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Fred was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Fred's personal motto was, "Do it right the first time." He graduated from Robertsdale High School in 1942. His favorite classes in high school were math and science and he excelled in both. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Taylor.

Fred's practical work ethic carried over into his college years. Having a young family to support, Fred worked and studied long into the night often with little or no sleep. He earned his B.E.E. from Georgia Tech in 1951. He was also interested in Spanish and photography.

Fred was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. Those close to Fred came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, some of his best friends were Richard and Joanne Fields and Sunny Lee. Later in life, he had many close long term friendsips stemming from his Navy, college and professional career.

An objective and conscientious individual, Fred reveled in the security of his family. One of Fred's most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing poker parties with friends.

Fred married Lydia Merino on July 4, 1947, in Yuma, Arizona. They had five beautiful children and lived for over 25 years in the San Fernando Valley, California. On August 30, 1975 in Las Vegas, Nevada, he married Aurora Pacis and helped raise her five beautiful children. They also raised an adopted daughter. During their 35 years together they have lived in Lakewood, Downey and Banning, California.

Fred was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. He had five daughters; Laurie, Deborah, Anita, Kathy and Shaggie and six sons; Fred, Louis, Kellie, Karlo, Karim and Kenneth. He was also blessed with twenty seven grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Fred worked most of his career for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft (formerly Douglas Aircraft) but also spent time at Northrup and started his engineering career at Lockheed Aircraft. He was a respected member of the aerospace community and was an integral member of teams that developed propulsion systems for the Delta rocket, avionics for weapons delivery systems and autopilot for both commercial and military aircraft. His motto was "give me a job, and I will get it done."

Upon graduating high school he joined the U.S. Navy and became a naval aviator. His homebase was San Diego Naval Air Station. Fred was commissioned aboard the Tarawa and Valley Forge Air Craft Carriers. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He received several awards recognizing him for heroism, including a 2000th flight landing aboard the Valley Forge. His experience as an aviator enabled him to see the need for more sophisticated electronic equipment for navigational and communications for the rapidly developing space exploration, commercial and defense aircraft industries. He joined the ranks of engineers who shaped the future aerospace industry.

Fred approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuit was sailing. He loved playing in bridge and poker tournaments. He also loved tending a vegetable and rose garden wherever he lived - a testiment to his boyhood on the farm.

In high school, Fred played baseball and football. Recreational sports included coaching his son's Little League team. He was a sports fan and enjoyed watching or listening to sports whenever he got the opportunity. He was an avid Dodger fan.

A civic-minded person, he was both politically conservative and fiercely patriotic. Faith was important to Fred, he was a member of the Crystal Cathedral Congregation from 1980 to present.

Favorite vacations included trips to Mt. Whitney with friends and family, sailing to Catalina Island, traveling to Alabama to visit family and traveling to San Francisco to visit friends.

Fred was a lover of animals and cherished his pets; Chico his beautiful collie and Lucky his loving cat.

Fred retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1990. His new life involved relocating to Banning, California with his wife, Aurora from Downy, California. In retirement, he found new pleasure in selling at the Swap meet, selling Amway products and playing poker. Retirement provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends.

Fred passed away on February 1, 2011 at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, Banning, California. He suffered from an infection which caused heart failure. He is survived by his first wife, Lydia Linton; his current wife, Aurora; his daughters, Laurie (Joe) Beerman, Anita (Tim) McKone, Deborah (Tony) Jaeggi and Shaggie Elder and sons, Fred (Janet) Deaux, Louis (Julie) Deaux, Kellie Pacis, Karlo Pacis, Karim (Mabel) Pacis and Kenneth Pacis; sisters, Evelyn (Curtis) Morton and Eleanor Naughton; sister-in-law, Billie Deaux; numerous nieces and nephews; 27 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Services were held at Weaver Mortuary, 1177 Beaumont Ave, Beaumont, California, Monday, February 14, 2011, at 11:00 AM. Fred was laid to rest in Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, California.

Fred was a man of integrity, intelligence, diligence, tenacity and honesty. He made you want to be a better person because he espoused the notion that you could do anything if you put your mind to it and there was never a problem that could not be solved. He gave more than he expected, he expected less than he was given, he was greatful for the gifts that God gave him and believed that everyone is special. He treated people with dignity and respect and made freinds wherever he went. He loved the nearly 30 years he participated in a monthly poker club and sailing on the open seas. He was a stong, powerful man who saw himself as being quite ordinary. He is loved and will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends.