Fred Kercher's Obituary
Fred Kercher Jr.
World War II veteran and dedicated family man Fred Kercher (born January 30, 1913) of Spanaway, joined the love of his life, wife Betty, on January 8 at age 98.
Friends and family remember Fred for his twinkling blue eyes, outgoing nature, a wonderful sense of humor and a life filled with intriguing stories.
The son of a farmer, as a child he befriended a pig he called -Å"Dog,- and even rode him from time to time. After years of working fields with horses, he bought trucks and maintained a living during the Depression hauling sugar beets, sheep, coal and whatnot in Colorado and Idaho, helping to support his family. Mechanically gifted, he loved tinkering with his own 1924 Model-T Ford, and learned to professionally repair virtually any vehicle, including military tanks.
Fred proudly volunteered to join the U.S. Army. He served, returned home -¦ then war broke out. After Pearl Harbor, Fred served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. He was on the beach when General Douglas MacArthur arrived to fight the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines.
Fred earned the American Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and a Bronze Service Star.
After the war, in 1946, he married his long-time love, Betty L. Farris (1923-1997).
Both he and Betty worked at the Ft. Lewis laundry, where he became a washermen supervisor. He retired from civil service in 1972, becoming a stay-at-home Dad for his youngest.
Fred is survived by son Darryl Kercher, of Spanaway; daughters Dineice Piper of Kelso and DeAnna Coombs of Jensen, UT; brothers Gene Kercher, of Auburn, and Robert Kercher, Tacoma. Surviving grandchildren include: Joanna Delmar of Battleground, Charles Piper of Kelso, Jean McCarroll of Longview, and Jennifer Kercher of Spanaway. Ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren also carry on his legacy.
Fred is preceded in death by brother Elmer Kercher of Minnesota, and sisters Helen Ruvo, Joann Mizner, and Verna Ruvo of Tacoma, and Althea Walling of Colorado.
The family thanks Dr. Waltman and the staff at Heartwood for their ongoing warmth and care.
Visitation will be Friday, January 13, 6:00pm-9:00pm at Mountain View Funeral Home, Lakewood, WA. The Saturday, January 14, service will be at 1:00pm at Mountain View Celebration of Life Center, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Tacoma.
For more, in his own words, visit YouTube: Fred Kercher - A Day in the Life of a 97-year-old.mp4
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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