Fred was born March 8, 1930, died on November 1, 2012, in Ft. Collins, Colorado at the age of 82. He died peacefully with his wife, Sarahmae, at his side. Fred was born in Littleton, Colorado, to Fred J. Ockers Sr. and Jeanette Ockers. He was a product of the tough times of the Depression in the 1930's. The family moved to Englewood, Colorado in 1938. After his father died in 1940 he moved with his mother to south Denver in 1943. He attended and graduated from South High School in 1947. Times were tough and he took a job as a “shag boy” for a Denver Chevrolet dealer. At the age of twenty one, a hard worker and eager to learn, he began selling cars for a Denver Ford dealer advancing to the position of used car sales manager in just six years. Three years later, in 1960, he purchased the Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Laramie, Wyoming, with the partnership of family friends Ralph and Alethe Smith of Denver. His hard work and personal ethics helped him to turn around a rundown dealership into a very profitable business. In 1972 he was awarded the Wyoming Small Businessman of the Year by the late Stan Hathaway, Governor of the state of Wyoming.
He was very active in community affairs. While serving as President of the Laramie Country Club he was instrumental in building a new facility in 1964 that still stands today. He served as president of the Laramie Rotary Club, Laramie Auto Dealers, and the Wyoming Auto Dealers Association. He served as a director in many organizations including the Bank of Laramie for 25 years, the Denver District Ford Dealers Advertising Group, Denver Ford Dealers Council and at the Cathedral Home for Children.
He loved Wyoming football, never missing a game in over 8 years, including traveling with the team to all of the away games during those years. Fishing and golf were among his greatest passions but in general, he just loved people. To that end he and Sarahmae made many friends while members of country clubs in Laramie, Cheyenne, Colorado and Arizona. He and Sarahmae retired to spend 6 months in Scottsdale and 6 months at Fox Acres Country Club where they had residences. In 1993 they built a home in Fort Collins and have resided there ever since.
One of the family’s favorite business stories was the role he played in the development of the modern SUV. While serving on the Denver Ford Dealer Council, he recommended a new concept “low slung” 4X4 vehicle. At the time his idea was dismissed by Ford management citing a lack of market interest. Some twenty five years later Ford Motor Company introduced the Explorer reflecting many of Fred’s suggestions.
He married his wife, Sarahmae, of 63 years, on November 10, 1949, from which they had 3 children, Fred III (Debi), Craig (Coleen), and Patricia Thompson (Moose). He has 5 grandchildren, Nicci (Jared) Kaber, Kelly (Raif) Patterson, and Jay Ockers, Katie (Chris) Powell, and Rachelle (Matt) Boucher. Step-grandchildren are Todd (Julie) Pfifer, Troy (Shelly) Pfifer, Shad (Tina) Thompson and Tory Thompson. His great-grandchildren are Caiden and Brenden Boucher, Noah Kaber, and Lillian Powell.
Celebration of Life, 12 pm, Sun, Nov 11 at Fort Collins Country Club, 1920 Country Club Road, Ft Collins, 80524.
In lieu of flowers the family asks you to make memorial contributions to:
Cathedral Home for Children
PO Box 520
Laramie, WY 82073
RWVRG, Inc.
PO Box 352
Wellington, CO 80549
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