Frederick “Fred” Charles Findlay
Nov. 1, 1940 ~ Feb. 6, 2023
Frederick Charles Findlay was born on Nov. 1, 1940, to Charles and Aretta Findlay. He was called home to be with our Heavenly Father on Feb. 6, 2023.
Fred was an avid outdoorsman that loved to hunt and fish. He spent many weekends rafting and fishing the White River and the Green River with his family and his best friend Larry Klein. He loved to go camping and four wheeling which he did until his death. Fred had many friends and did not know a stranger always having a joke or story to tell or a big smile for all he met.
Fred was born and raised in Meeker and has always called the White River Valley home. Fred married the love of his life JoAnn Ottosen on Dec. 28, 1961. After they were married they spend their first summer on the Flat Tops in a tent herding the sheep for JoAnn’s family’s ranch. They welcomed three children to this union. Tammy Etzler was born June 23, 1963, and then on Aug. 8 they welcomed their second child Debbie. Rodney was something of a surprise and came on Oct. 26, 1971. Fred loved his family and was so proud of their accomplishments which he would brag about to all who would listen. Fred spent his younger years working at White River Electric as a lineman and then went on to work at Meeker Electric and then with his father as an electrician. He retired from Hud Development in Meeker in 2003, where he and JoAnn traveled to Arizona for the winters and then to Meeker in the summers.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Aretta Findlay and his brother Henry Kracht and sister Betty Cott. He is survived by his wife of 61 years JoAnn and his three children: Tammy Etzler (Mike), Debbie Jordan (Bill) and Rodney Findlay (Tanya). He had five grandchildren whom he dearly loved: Kristy Custer, Bradyn Etzler, Hunter Findlay, Dakota Findlay and Denise Taylor. He had two great-granchildren: Sarah and Colton. He is survived also by his two sisters, Mary Sifers and Dorothy Archer, and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed dearly by all.
Graveside services will be held at Highland Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, followed by a luncheon at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the White River Museum by calling 970-878-9982 or sending a check to 565 Park Ave., PO Box 413 in Meeker, Colorado, 81641.
