Fred Robert Kugler, Jr., 74, of Mckeesport, PA passed away peacefully with family by his side at the Agape Hospice House in Lexington, SC. He was born to the late Fred and Peggie Kugler January 06, 1949 in McKeesport, PA.
Fred is survived by his children Yvonnie (Clay) Conyers, Heather (Steven) Krack, Heidi (John) Sease, Bobby Kugler, Adam Kugler, and Megan Kugler; Sisters Jo Anne Carl, Karen Kugler, and brother Scott Kugler; Nieces Jillian (Shawn) Kautzman and Rebecca (Alaa) Aqra. He has 11 grandchildren and 10 (soon to be 12) great-grandchildren as well as several great-nieces and nephews.
Fred served in the United States Navy on the USS Cascade during the Vietnam Conflict. He later worked for Westinghouse as a boiler repair specialist, self-employed videographer for Heinz, swim pageants, weddings, and special events, and he was a security guard at St Clair Hospital.
Fred enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a snacker and a connoisseur of anchovies and sardines. He had a partner in many snack heists. His great-grandson Dillion was his go-to Clyde for everything snack related; chips, Fig Newtons, Oreos, Pepsi, fruit gummies and this list can keep going. They built many Lego towers and colored after their snacks.
Fred was a softball coach, wrestling coach, chauffeur, teacher of the outdoors, and a gun enthusiast.
Fred survived a traumatic brain injury in September of 2012. This robbed him of his short term memory but he remembered his past vividly. He would speak of his deployments to Italy, Greece, Germany, and Spain. If you know anything of Fred, you know those stories included a curvy female a time or two.
Fred moved to South Carolina in June of 2017 to live with his daughter, Yvonnie. During his time in South Carolina, he made many friends. He became good friends with Henry Conyers, Jr., they spent many hours talking about the military, women, while watching westerns and military shows. Henry was also his go-to Clyde for Pepsi and snacks. They looked out for each other.
The last several years had been hard on him as the brain injury slowly caused dementia and other health issues. He was still Fred, feisty as ever. Loved by all.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Jonathan Matthew Wood, and brother in law Richard Allen Carl.
Please share your Fred stories with us on FaceBook or come celebrate his life with us in South Carolina at his daughter's house at 1206 Brodie Road, Leesville, SC on Sunday, July 16th, 2023 starting at 2:00 pm or in Pennsylvania at his childhood home on July 29, 2023. Services will be held on Friday, July 28th, 2023 at Penn Lincoln Memorial Park, 14679 Lincoln Highway, North Huntingdon, PA 15642 in the Chapel at 2:00 pm with a graveside for Military committal service to follow. In lieu of flowers or gifts please consider donating to: BAFound.org, Lisafoundation.org, Foldsofhonor.org, Fisherhouse.org
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