Fred Stevens Balmer's Obituary
Fred S. Balmer
8-8-1930 - 10-11-2013
Fred was a quiet man. He was a thinker and there never was a problem he couldn’t solve. He was an avid reader and loved doing projects around the house. He was a wonderful cook. He loved his family and especially his dog Freckles and all the critters that predeceased him.
Fred had a productive career as a store designer at West Coast Grocery in Tacoma, where he was the manager of Store Development Department until his retirement. He had a hand in designing and directing construction on many food stores in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.
Fred Stevens Balmer 83 years young. He was born in the city of Tacoma. He a graduate Lincoln High School. Following high school he joined the Marine Corps Reserve and was activated in 1951 for Korean deployment. He was wounded in Korea and received a purple heart and a disability retirement from the Marine Corps.
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Mable (Bright) Balmer, his brother James and his sister Sally.
He was a member of Ocean Shores Lions for 19 years and was awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award, the Washington State School Retirees Assoc., serving as the Grays Harbor/Pacific Unit’s president saying that “I am an engineer by trade and a teacher by marriage”, and the NRTA Division of AARP.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years JoAnn, Daughters Jeri Smith (Brady), Teri Balmer (Marsha), Robin Balmer Logan (Tom), Grandsons Justin Smith (Abby), Matthew Smith (April), Mackenzie and Spencer Balmer Logan and Granddaughter Elizabeth Smith, 1 great grandson Andrew and 2 great-granddaughters Maryann and Mia, his brother Phillip (Janice), 4 nephews and 3 nieces.
Your family and all those you touched and helped through the years will miss you.
Funeral services will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home and Memorial Park on Monday, October 21st at 11:00am, in the Celebration of Life Center, Aspen Chapel.
What’s your fondest memory of Fred?
What’s a lesson you learned from Fred?
Share a story where Fred's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Fred you’ll never forget.
How did Fred make you smile?
