Fred Yetter

Fred Yetter was a hardworking and fun-loving man who took every opportunity to enjoy life. He was an adventurous outdoorsman who was truly at home in the forests and lakes. Fred had a lifelong passion for adventure and cars, but found the greatest joy in the presence of his family and friends.

The year 1946 was a mixture of historical events and items for trivia. For the history books, President Harry Truman officially proclaimed an end of hostilities in World War II on December 31st. For trivia buffs, Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life premiered starring Jimmy Stewart, and the first bikini was introduced. For Max and Geraldine (Jackman) Yetter of Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1946 was a wonderful year that would have a major impact on their lives. On April 5, 1946, they were overjoyed with the birth of their first child, a son they named Fred Rex. He was later joined by two younger siblings, his sister, Leslie, and brother, Matthew, who completed the Yetter household.

Fred had a typical childhood growing up in Kalamazoo. His father provided for the family working at the Kalamazoo Gazette, while his mother owned and operated Ravenwood Kennels. Fred received his education in the area schools and graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1964. It was obvious from a young age that Fred was very mechanically minded, and had a passion for cars since he was a teenager. In fact, by the time he was out of high school, Fred owned a corvette, and could fix just about anything on it.

In August 1965, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and proudly served his country for 4 years. While in the service, he learned to work on aircrafts, and was stationed overseas for a year. Upon his honorable discharge in June 1969, Fred had attained the rank of Sergeant, and continued to serve in the Reserves for a few more years. Shortly after returning home from the service, Fred was married to Linda and they had two wonderful children together: Kelly (1972) and Eric (1975). Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 1990.

Fred lived in Mattawan for several years before moving to Gun Lake. It was here he owned and operated Gun Lake Auto Stop for over 10 years; he was a very skilled mechanic. There was no doubt that Fred loved cars, particularly hot rods. In fact, he still owns a 1934 Chevy hot rod, but also had various others throughout his life. Fred loved to go to car shows around Michigan, perhaps hoping to find his next “hot rod.” It was said that if he wasn’t at a car show, then he was probably at his cabin, which he bought in 1985, in Matchwood, Michigan, a place he loved to get away to – his sanctuary. Outside of car shows, deer hunting and fishing were the next best things in life. During hunting season, Fred and his good friends, Sam, Brian and Rick, all headed up to the cabin for some serious hunting. And if he wasn’t hunting, then Fred was fishing on Gun Lake near his home or at a lake by the cabin.

Fred was definitely a man’s man – he loved cars, particularly big Chevys (he hated Fords), hunting, fishing, and watching NASCAR, especially driver Dale Earnhardt. He listened to music of all kinds, including Jimmy Buffet, Patsy Kline, Bob Seger, and country music in general. Fred was known to be an easygoing kind of guy, sometimes cranky and stubborn, but fun to be around. He had a knack of always telling a good joke at the most inopportune time though. Fred lived his life his way and by his rules, one of which was “It’s better to want something you don’t have, then have something you don’t want.” He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Fred Rex Yetter, age 62, died on Saturday, January 3, 2009, in Kalamazoo, MI. Services will be held on Friday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900). He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Matthew Yetter. Surviving is his 3 children: Cara (Treg) Stommen of CA; Kelly Yetter of Plainwell and Eric Yetter of Kalamazoo; 4 grandchildren; his sister, Leslie Yetter of Grand Haven; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Please visit Fred’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post #3030.