Fred Fuchs

CENTER —  The angels in heaven are rejoicing; another one of God’s children has come home.

Fred Fuchs of Del Norte, lovingly called Doozie by his wife, Charlotte of 59 years went home to heaven on Jan. 23, 2020, with his family all around him. He was born on March 21, 1938, to Hugh and Margaret Fuchs of Del Norte.

He was the first of four sons, LeeRoy, Richard and Mike. Childhood was spent on the family ranch west of Del Norte and with grandpa at the “brick house.”

Fred and Charlotte McMillan were united in marriage on Nov. 6, 1960. They started out on a small ranch west of the home place, then moved to their current home northwest of Center in J.

Together they raised two children, Julie (Bill) Hume of Rangely, and Stace (Loni) Fuchs of Del Norte. He was Grampa to Michael (Carrie) Sprunger, Nicole (Bryan) Howe, Bryce Fuchs, Brent Fuchs, Mary Fuchs and Zach Fuchs.

He was GG-Pa to Stella, Emerson and Barrett Howe and Step-Grampa to Denali, Cody, and Macayla Hicks

Fred started raising sheep while still in high school and continued after returning home from his enlistment in the Marines. He was a dedicated farmer raising alfalfa, barley and potatoes.

Fred ran 2,000 head of sheep that summered in the high country, above Creede.

This was an adventure that all participated in and looked forward to. Fred loved the mountains and caring for his sheep, and the family enjoyed many trips to the sheep camps. He was very compassionate and loved all the animals that he cared for. Fred won many awards through the National Wool Growers Association, some of which he was awarded at the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

One of Fred’s favorite things was spending time with his family. It didn’t matter what the job was, the work was shared by all. He willingly taught by example, and a great deal of wisdom was passed down through the years to not only his children but grandchildren, as well. He was a kind and gentle man of few words, but when he did speak he was worth listening to. A couple of the lessons passed down were, “Just take one day at a time,” and “Let’s just see what happens.”

Fred was a member of Gateway Church. He and Charlotte were involved in building the church at its current location where he was a trustee and head usher. He enjoyed visiting with area farmers at the Gunbarrel Station where they would discuss the weather, crops, etc. and solved many a problem.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; children, Julie and Stace, six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers; sister-in-law Jesse James; numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents. Fred was so very loved and will be missed greatly by his family and friends.

Services will be held on Feb. 1, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Gateway Church in Del Norte.

Arrangements are in care of Strohmayer’s Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Gateway Church in Del Norte in Fred’s memory.

Send to Strohmayer’s Funeral Home at 205 Broadway, Monte Vista, CO, 81144.