Fred was born on June 22, 1936, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, to Lawrence John Oldencott and Marcella Frank. He graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1954 and married Gloria Martinez in 1962. Over the next 64 years, Gloria taught him how to let go of his Yankeeness and embrace the ways of La Raza.
Fred served his country as a musician in the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston. He studied at and received degrees from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.
He was a ringer for the Barnum & Bailey Circus when it came to San Antonio. A talented performer, Fred was also an accomplished composer and arranger who wrote numerous jazz charts and band works. If you grew up in San Antonio in the 1970s or 1980s and were in band, chances are you either played one of Fred’s works or found yourself under his baton while he directed bands in the Northside and Northeast Independent School Districts.
Fred was a smart guy and retired from teaching in the late 1980s. He was an avid reader, motorcyclist, and punster, though he was strictly instructed not to deliver pun-ishment from beyond. He was still cracking jokes up until his last visit to the ER.
In retirement, Fred had many hobbies—mainly because when he got bored with one, he would simply start another. Photography, astronomy, puzzles, and building an elaborate train set in his music office were just a few. You name it, he would try it once.
Pops loved the Pittsburgh Steelers the way some people love oxygen. Win or lose, he would sit in his Steelers attire with his Terrible Towel within reach to watch the games. He had nice words after a loss and nicer words after a win.
Fred is survived by his loving wife, Gloria; his children, Lisa (Robert) Rubio of San Antonio, Laura (Richard) Ogrodnik of Smithson Valley, and Dean Oldencott of Evergreen, Colorado; his grandchildren, Ashley, Emily, Amber, and Ian; his great-grandchildren, Violet, Flora, and Lincoln; his sister, Fran Rhodes of Negley, Ohio; and a great deal of leftover chocolate candy, some of it sugar free.
The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 25, at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave., with a service to follow at 11:30 AM. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local school music program—or just adopt a cat. Fred would accept either. Go Spurs Go!
