Fred was frequently heard saying “I’m glad I’m FROM Texas”. He loved California so very much. Fred was long and lanky, born and reared in Brownfield, Texas, where he graduated from high school and met and married his best girl on his 18th birthday. Soon after they were married they headed for the oil-fields where Fred became a geo physical worker. He was part of a crew that travelled about West Texas, Kansas and New Mexico smelling out new oil-wells and drilling for gushers. After getting enough of the oil business he came to California and settled in San Diego where he became a radio operator and trouble shooter for Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. This is where he began is love affair with being a Pilot. In January 1945 he joined the Army Air Corp as an aviation cadet and went back to Texas for training. At Randolph Field in San Antonio he went to pre-flight training. Then he spent a short session at Amarillo Army Air Field at the B-29 Engineering School. He was released from the service in November 1945 and headed directly to Salinas, CA where he worked in various jobs and finally wound up as assistant manager of a furniture store. In 1948 he entered the California Department of Corrections at Soledad prison wher he became a sergeant in August 1950 and a Lieutenant in January of 1952. The latter appointment coincided with his successful passage of the examination for the California Highway Patrol, which he decided to pass up. He said he was never sorry about it, and staying with the CDC was one of the smartest moves he ever made. After more than 30 successful years and several more promotions with the CDC Fred retired and started several new hobbies. Flying his own plane was a desire that had been put aside and now he had the time. He later started, playing golf and then started building clocks and furniture. Fred was self taught in this field and if you look around his home and his daughter’s home you can see many pieces of his work. Fred was never a person to waste money or time.
Fred is survived by a daughter, Jean Ann Shepherd of Corona, a Foster Daughter, Mona Porta of Joplin, Mo, he also has a grandson – Steven Shepherd and a great grand daughter, Courtney Shepherd, both of Corona, CA. His childhood sweetheart Hazel died in 1996.
After some lonely time he was introduced to his second wife, another Hazel in 1997. Fred and Hazel #2 began traveling the world and enjoying their sunshine years. He not only gained a second wife but a second daughter and son-in-law, with more grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren. After 12 great years together Hazel #2 passed away in 2009. Fred stayed busy and kept his mind going, never wasting a minute.
Everyone was amazed and loved this man. He was so interesting to talk to, he had so many stories. He was always up to date with politics and current events, got involved with the computer generation, putting everyone else to shame with his ability and knowledge of high tech equipment. He kept his mind and hands busy up until he wasn’t able to.
Fred was also a long standing and active member of the Elks and Los Serranos Golf Course
We will all miss him very much.
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