Frederick Richard McPherson

Sebring-Frederick Richard McPherson, 86, passed away quietly at 12:07am on May 29, 2024 at Crandall Medical Center following a recent illness.

Mr. McPherson was born at home in Leetonia, Ohio on April 30, 1938 to Grace and Homer McPherson. Surviving are three brothers: Carl in Niceville, FL; Larry in Naples, FL; and David in Raleigh, N.C.

Fred started school in Leetonia before moving to Lisbon, Ohio where he graduated from David Anderson High School in 1956.  He enlisted in the USMC in the fall of 1956 and spent time in both South Carolina and North Carolina before he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1958.

He married Janice Pettit at St. Jacobs Church of Christ near Lisbon on August 15, 1959.  Fred and Janice were married for 62 years. Janice was a life-long nurse and preceded Fred in death in May of 2022.  The couple had two daughters, Kendra (Tracey) Harris of Cincinnati, OH and Lori (John) Hoehn of Duluth, GA; four grandchildren, Justin Harris, Ben Harris, Joshua Hoehn and Kelley (Hoehn) Morawsky and two great-grandchildren, Reece Morawsky and Josephine Harris.

Fred started employment in Cleveland with The American Agricultural Chemical Co., working in advertising and the order department before being assigned a sales territory in 1961. He and Janice lived in Napoleon, OH for nearly 20 years and raised their family there. Fred was employed by Agrico Chemical Company (later the Williams Corporation) for 35 years and, after leaving Napoleon, worked in their Henderson, KY and Tulsa, OK offices before finishing his career with them in New Orleans, LA.  After retiring from Agrico, Fred and Janice lived in Columbia, SC until 2006 at which time they relocated back to their roots in eastern Ohio and moved into a villa in the Copeland Oaks retirement complex. Fred delivered packages to residents of the Copeland complex and became a well-known face around Copeland Oaks during his 18 years of residence there.

Life-long followers of Christ, after moving back to eastern Ohio, Fred and Janice became active members of the Damascus Methodist Church. Fred was on the SPRC and served as the church financial secretary. During this same time and while health permitted, they also enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends and spending time in their Myrtle Beach condo.

Fred was responsible, supportive, faithful and kind -- a model husband, parent and grandparent. He was organized and decisive and always tried to act in good faith. In his later years, Fred took great pleasure in sharing his unique brand of humor – which will be sorely missed -- with Copeland nurses, staff and residents.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Friday, June 7th at the Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home with Pastor David Napier officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Lisbon Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11am until the time of the services Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Fred’s memory to the Damascus Methodist Church.

Friends may also view Fred’s memorial tribute page, share memories, and leave condolences at www.eells-leggett-stauffer.com.

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