Fred Ives, Jr.

Fred Ives always knew that joy could be found in the simplest of places, whether he was playing golf with his wife, cheering on his grandchildren in a sporting event, or just enjoying the warm Florida sun. A handsome, quiet man with a quick wit and a talent for telling stories, Fred brought joy and warmth to the lives of those around him. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Fred will be dearly missed.

The 1920's swept into the United States bringing great change to the nation. Shaken from the terrors of the First World War, the United States showed resilience, entering into an era of prosperity and social change known as the Roaring Twenties. The beginning of prohibition, the 1920's were an age of adventure and rebellion, a time of speakeasies and jazz, flappers and bobbed hair styles. However, the final years of the Roaring Twenties are also known as the dawn of a time of great hardship as the nation entered into a period of economic devastation known as the Great Depression. In the year 1928 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Frederick and Lottie Ives were busy preparing home for the arrival of a new family member. One cold spring day, on March 31, 1928, they welcomed a new baby into their lives, a son who they named Frederick, Jr.

Fred was the youngest of four children, and spent his childhood growing with two older sisters and one older brother. Fred grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Always a small, coordinated boy, Fred kept busy throughout his youth by singing in a boy’s choir at his church. He also attended Kalamazoo Central High School, where he and his brother were talented baton twirlers. In the year 1946, Fred proudly graduated from High School with his class.

After graduating, Fred decided to serve his country, and enlisted into the Army. He spent three years serving in Japan in the airborne forces. After Fred returned home, he entered into the next exciting phase of his life by marrying a young woman named Rosemary Tuitt. Fred and Rosemary soon started a family, and had four wonderful children together, Dave, Sue, Rick, and Tim. Fred also attended Western Michigan University for two years, during which time he took general studies courses. He then gained a job at Upjohn Company, working as an Info Systems Specialist. He was a loyal worker at Upjohn Company for thirty years, and retired from there later in his life. Summer family vacations were spent camping and boating on local lakes and Friday nights were saved for watching Bonanza and eating popcorn.

In the year 1989, Fred experienced great tragedy when his wife, Rosemary, passed away. Fred found comfort in the company of his family, especially his wonderful grandchildren. In 1992, Fred decided to spend the winter in Bradenton, FL where he ended up on going on a blind golf date and met a woman named Elverie "Ellie" Hall. Ellie had lost her husband in 1985, and the two found renewed joy in each other's company. Fred and Ellie were married on January 2, 1993 in Louisville, Kentucky, where she was originally from. The newlyweds settled in Bradenton, FL and traveled back and forth from Florida to Michigan. During this time, they enjoyed watching Kentucky football, and had season tickets. Then, in 2000, they decided to make a solid home for themselves, and built a house in Daytona, FL. They enjoyed living there for 10 years and then moved to Fleming Island, February 2010.

Fred and Ellie found great joy in their life together in Florida, and spent their time playing golf, traveling, taking walks and enjoying the warm sunshine. Every Saturday night they attended church at Our Lady of Hope, and then had dinner together followed by a movie. They also went on several cruises, and enjoyed spending time in their pool. Fred's grandkids were always special to him, and he loved attending their activities and sporting events whenever he could. The grandkids also remember spending Saturday nights listening to big band music and dancing with grandpa and grandma.

Fred Ives had a unique talent of finding joy in the simple parts of life. A handsome, quiet man who was content spending time around the house, Fred took the greatest joy in time spent with his wife or children. With his witty sense of humor, his talent for storytelling and his easy going nature, Fred brought a sense of calm companionship to those he spent time with. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, he will be dearly missed.

Fred passed away on January 25, 2011 in Orange Park, FL. He was preceded in death by a former wife, Rosemary Ives. Surviving is his wife of 18 years, Elverie “Ellie” Ives; 4 children: Rick (Maureen) Ives, Dave (Mary) Ives, Tim Ives and Sue (Paul) Harrison; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 5 step-children; 14 step-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Ives and his friend for many years Ethel MacGregor, and many nieces and nephews.

Learn more about Fred, view his Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with his family and friends on Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at St. Thomas More Parish. Following the mass, food and fellowship will be shared in the parish hall. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Vincent Health Care Foundation. Please visit Fred’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo or sign his online guest book.