Fred Benson Miller Jr.

September 5, 1923 – November 6, 2016

Fred wanted to thank all who helped him and his family during his lifetime.

Fred was born Sept. 5, 1923 in Espanola, Florida, to Gertrude Malone Miller and Fred Benson Miller Sr. They were from north Georgia and had come down to grow winter potatoes at Espanola. In 1933 the family moved to Jacksonville.

Fred Jr. attended Fishweir Elementary, John Gorrie and Lee High School. Upon graduation, he put in his freshman year at the University of Georgia. World War II broke out in December of 1941 and he transferred to the University of Florida. Fred had pursued ROTC and was activated in June of 1943, going to Camp Croft, S.C., for infantry basic training. Most of the ROTC men from East Coast Schools were at Camp Croft awaiting officer training at Fort Benning. The Army Air Corp was experiencing heavy losses of bombers and some of the infantry designates were allowed to transfer to the Army Air Corp. Fred was classified for navigation in the 486th Bomb Group at Sudbury Suffolk on April 1, 1945, and flew combat missions. After the war ended in May 1945, Fred was transferred to the 310th Ferrying Squadron.

Fred wanted to finish his college education and attended Columbia University School of Business in New York City. After graduation, Fred returned to Jacksonville where he began working with the Southeast Division of Ford Motor Company. He left Ford in 1949 and joined his father at the dairy farm on Otis Road. He became President of the local dairy association in 1959. He also helped start the Duval County Soil and Water Conservation District, and served on its Board of Supervisors for 48 years, much of that time as Chairman. An aspiring writer, Fred published more than 100 articles and short stories.

Fred married Carolyn Ulakey in 1965 and the couple had 3 daughters. They traveled extensively abroad to Europe, Russia, and the Caribbean. Carolyn predeceased him in 1995.

Fred donated the Tactical Gunnery exhibit to the 8th Air Force Museum in Pooler, Georgia. He also donated funds to the Florida Agricultural Museum for the Espanola exhibit, and to the Baldwin Coleman House exhibit.

Survivors include his 3 daughters, Trudi Lockwood (Tim), Paige Mann (David) and Brynne Hetzel; and seven grandchildren, Mallory and Miller Lockwood, Olivia and Thomas Mann, and Cecilia, Gertrude and Andrew Hetzel; and his faithful dog Brandy. The family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers Peaches, Bernice, Beth and Miss Sarah, and Community Hospice.

A visitation will be held at 12:00pm, with the funeral service at 1:00pm, Saturday November 12, 2016 at Riverside Baptist Church, 2650 Park Street, Jacksonville FL 32204. Fred was a member of Riverside Baptist Church for 80 years, since 1936. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Riverside Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens, 729 Edgewood Ave. S., Jacksonville FL 32205.