Fred E Colwell, Jr.

It is with great sadness we share the loss of our father, Fred E. Colwell, but it is with great joy that we share with you some of his 101 years of life.

In Amsterdam, New York, on September 10, 1918, Fred was born to Fred Colwell, Sr. and Anna Mae Brickner Colwell, both of whom predeceased him. He graduated from Scotia High School in 1937, then went on to attend Michigan State College (now Michigan State University), graduating in 1941 with a degree in Hotel and Business Administration. A Varsity Letter Winner for his work managing Michigan State's football team (1938-1940), Fred was rarely seen without a display of his Spartan Pride and never lost his love of cheering for his team on every Football Saturday—even at the age of 101. Eighty years later, Fred was the oldest surviving Letter Winner at the time of his death. His unerring devotion to his alma-matter is still on display today in the Varsity "S" Club at MSU, where a chair bears his name and status as a Varsity Letter Winner.

Drafted into the Army in May, 1942 , he completed Officer Training School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, commissioning as a 2d Lieutenant in December 1942. He married our mother, Mary Lorraine Fletcher, in September, 1943 at Lorraine's home in Malvern Iowa with many loved ones present to celebrate their union. Fred then completed four years of active duty service in World War II, both in the US and Europe 1944-1946 where his unit supported Patton, following him up and down the Rhine and the Battle of The Bulge. After the war ended, he came back to Lansing with Lorraine in 1946.

After WWII, Fred dedicated much of his life to service and leadership, both in the Army and in his community. He continued to serve in the US Army Reserve (Commanding the 745th Field Artillery Battalion, 70th Infantry Division; and Commanding the 442d Field Artillery Group) until 1972 when he retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was a member of the Lansing Life Underwriters Association (Central Michigan Chapter), the Central United Methodist Church (Capitol Avenue), and the American Red Cross (Board Member since 1958, Chairman in 1962, 1964; Ingham County Mid-Michigan Chapter). Finally, Fred also served as the President of the LLUA, President of the Lansing Lions Club, and President of the Certified Life Underwriters (Central Michigan Chapter), and President for the Retired Officers Association (Lansing Chapter, 1995-1996).

Concurrent with his Army Reserve career after the war, he resumed working for New York Life Insurance Co. as an agent and ultimately moved to Kansas City Life as a General Agent, both in Lansing Michigan. After retiring from the insurance industry in 1972 he became the manager for the Lansing office of Detroit-based Business Control Services and continued with that firm until he retired fully in the late 70's.

Fred was blessed with his share of love and of loss in his life. He and Lorraine had four children (eldest to youngest): Richard Gordon, of Venice, FL, Douglas Allan, of Alden, MI; Robert Owen, deceased 2002; and Mary Jane, of Kalamazoo, MI. Fred lived to see seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Fred bore the unexpected losses of his wife, Lorraine, in 1992, and of his son, Robert, in 2002. Fred went on to marry twice more in his life, to Jeanette Bass Heald (deceased, 2002) and to Katherine Butterfield Nolen (deceased, 2009). Despite the sorrow of his losses, Fred was exemplary in his ability to maintain a positive outlook in life and to find happiness in the love that continued to surround him until the end.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather with 7 Grandchildren, 4 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandson. He was active in his sons lives with Indian Guides, Scouting and Sports. Up until the day he died he continued to send birthday and Christmas cards, teach us lessons of character, integrity, humility and gratitude. His faith was his North Star.

A Celebration of Fred's life will be held 2:00 P.M Saturday, May 9th at . Langland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. https;//www.langelands.com

Those desiring to make contributions in place of flowers can contribute to the Michigan State University Varsity S Club through this link Spartan Fund.
Please write in the comments section in honor of Fred Colwell Jr. VCLUB

Mailing Address:
Spartan Fund
1855 Place
550 South Harrison Rd
East Lansing, MI 48823

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