Fred E. Mang Jr., 97, passed away on July 29th, 2021 in Pueblo, CO. Fred was born February 20, 1924 in La Jara, Colorado and attended Pueblo Public schools and graduated high school. Fred entered the U.S. Navy serving in WWII as a Seaman 1st Class with the Naval Armed Guard until his discharge on April 27th 1946. He was initiated as a “shell back”, having crossed the equator aboard the S.S. Fort Laramie and received several medals for his service.
After the Navy, Fred returned to Pueblo where he married his sweetheart, Mildred Petrie. He found work as a route driver for Rainbow Bakery, Manager of the camera department at Sears & Roebuck Co. and then landing his dream job as a Photographer for the National Park Service. For many years his work involved photographing every piece of archeological artifact found at Mesa Verde National Park at the Wetherill Mesa site. Fred also travelled to other National Parks and monuments, including a special caravan trip with First Lady “Lady Bird” Johnson and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, to the Big Bend National Park to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service.
Another prized moment was the opportunity to photograph the artist Georgia O’Keefe at her home “The Ghost Ranch” in New Mexico not long before her death. Fred was an admirer of Ansel Adams and studied his techniques and used them in his own work. He was also a friend and colleague of Laura Gilpin, a famous southwestern photographer. Many of Fred’s photos have been on display at universities and museums throughout the west.
Fred enjoyed golfing and was a USGA member and he even built and maintained a 5 hole golf course at his home in Durango, Colorado. This quickly became a landmark. Fred was an alumni of the Winona School of Photography and a life member of The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Fred is preceded in death by; his parents Fred Earnest Mang Sr. and Trella (Little) Mang and Sister Esther Bates.
Fred leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 73 years, Mildred “Midge” Mang (nee’ Petrie), brothers-in-law Jake Garrett of Fowler, CO.; Jerry Fugere of Ruidoso, NM; close friends Jan and “Cort” Kindred of New Mexico; “Chug” and Sonia Hammond of Durango, CO. niece Karen Medlin and nephew Fred Bates and numerous other special nieces and nephews.
Although Fred’s career took him all across the country, he always called Pueblo, CO, “My old hometown”. He will be deeply missed and remembered by many. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name, to the VFW.
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