Louis Wayne Frederick

Louis Wayne Frederick, 85, passed away peacefully at his home May 10, 2020, after a short bout with cancer, surrounded by his family.

Wayne was born June 17, 1934, in Odessa, Wash., to parents Louis Ludwig and Alma Frederick.

He attended Odessa High School and then joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He spent most of his service time on the USS Kitty Hawk, along with other various carriers.

Wayne was a Vietnam War veteran. In 1956, he married the love of his life, Violet Mae Skaggs. After serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, Wayne returned to Odessa with his family and began working for the Trading Co.

Shortly thereafter, he began his second career with the state Highway Department. Wayne was the lead technician for 20 years. He retired June 30, 1994.

During his time working for the Highway Department, he received a Life Saving Award issued from the state of Washington for pulling a car accident victim out of his submerged car at Lamona, Wash.

Additionally, he was recognized as the state Department of Transportation Employee of the Year for 1993.

Wayne was an active member of the Odessa community.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7395 and a life member of the American Legion. As a member of the Odessa float committee, Wayne provided his float building expertise for annual parades.

He was an avid hunter and loved fishing. Many family and friends have fond memories of him at his favorite fishing hole, sitting on the barge at Deer Lake.

You could also find him tinkering in his garage, creating numerous toys, go-carts, mini-bikes and stilts for his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vi Frederick; daughter, Debra Frederick Praetorius; father, Louis Frederick, mother, Alma Spurling; two brothers, Leland and Ronald Frederick; and sister, Shirley Worley.

He is survived by his children Michael (Sherri) of Odessa, Dennis (Polly) of Ford, David (Brenda) of Spokane and Teresa of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Wayne is survived by 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad will be remembered for his kindness to others and his willingness to always make time for those in need of help. He lived a simple positive life, one that many surely would have liked to have.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date and time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.strate-funeral.com for the Frederick family.