Frederick C. Barrell, III

Frederick (Fred) Child Barrell III, born in Des Moines, IA, on a glorious day the 22nd of May 1951, passed away on the 20th of August 2015, due to complications resulting from his golf game becoming non-existent. Fred passed away peacefully at Portsmouth Naval Hospital surrounded by those who loved himfamily, friends, and his Navy Fan Club of Doctors, Nurses, and Corpsman (he's smiling down at you C2!). Despite the infamous morphine and Code Black incidents, Fred never let the Navy get the best of him, and although he was proud to call his "Shipmates" friends, he proved that he was ARMY STRONGall day long. Fred's playful and positive outlook on life, sustaining faith, and devotion to family and friends carried him right up until the time of his death when he fought his leukemia with the utmost dignity and grace. Fred was married to Diane Bagley Barrell who preceded him in death in November 1994. Fred is survived by his mother, Eleanor; brothers, Dan (wife Arleen) and Jeffrey (wife Candace); sister, Denise (husband Mike); sons, Fred IV (wife, Missy) and Franklin (wife Stephanie); daughter, Allison (husband Jason/El Jefe); grandchildren, Alexandra, Fred V (Erick/Cinco), Bradley, Arya, JJ, Rhodes, and Joel; and his faithful companion and "heart-mate," Betty, who Fred loved and adored. Fred managed to graduate from Ankeny High School in Des Moines, IA, in 1969 despite showing up to school the morning after prom still decked out in his powder blue tuxedo. The details of that night are still unknown; some things you just take to your grave. He subsequently attended Tennessee Technological University where he credits his college attendance to Coach Bob and Gail (Mom) Joye for changing his destiny by making him a part of the Tennessee Tech Football Team (Go Eagles!). Upon graduation in December 1973, he received his U.S. Army Commission and reported to Active Duty. Highlights of Fred's 28-year Army career include earning both the Meritorious Service Medal (with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters) and the Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), as well as being the Assistant Chief of Staff, G1/AG of the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Ft. Carson, and commanding the Personnel Support Company, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) during the entire Desert Shield/Desert Storm deployment. Aside from his illustrious career, Fred's favorite assignment was assuming command of Ft. Story, VA, from 1995 to 1997. If nothing else, Fred threw some pretty epic beach parties. Out of respect for Fred and the confidentiality of his guests, all details will remain classified. Except for that one time when Fred danced on the picnic tablesthat party was too good not to mention. In between playing an Army hero and being an amazing husband and father, Fred's passions included golfing, grilling, and embarrassing his children by jogging in the shortest shorts made in America and sporting the always fashionable fanny pack. No room for pockets in those shorts. Fred enjoyed summering near Yellow Bluff Fishing Camp, GA, where he loved mowing the grass in his famed catfish hat; baiting crab traps with chicken necks; keeping the alligators out of the lawn with really, really old pistols borrowed from a former Judge; grilling delicious meats that were "so tender it fell off the bone!"; erecting above ground pools; and being checked for ticks at the end of a long day with no air conditioning or cable. Fred settled in Murrells Inlet, SC, and Virginia Beach, VA, before beating all the odds during his six-year cancer journey. He loved the camaraderie of the Golf Gang at the Signature, spoiling his family with grand beach-week vacations featuring Pork Fest and Boogie Breakfasts, and road tripping with Betty across the mid-Atlantic on the quest to find the best Carolina BBQ (or any restaurant featured on The Food Channel). The results of their quest are classifiedwe could tell you, but then we'd have to kill you. Fred has touched many people in his life's journey and he would have wanted all of us to celebrate each other and the memories we shared with him. His life was rich because he invested in you - the "Friends of Fred" network. The funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, the 29th of August at the First Presbyterian Church of Hinesville, GA. The family will host a viewing before the service from 12:00 to 1:30 PM at Carter Funeral Home. Fred was adamant that people use this occasion to celebrate his life, so in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the scholarship fund established in Fred's name in support of the Tennessee Tech Football Team. Fred wanted to give each of you one last "Love Ya Man." Dad, mission accomplished: you have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. It's your time to fly, but we miss you dearly. "Fair Winds and Following Seas, Fairways and Greens!" To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frederick C. Barrell, III, please visit our flower store.