Fredrick "Fred" Wade Parmeter

Fred passed away suddenly on July 5, 2024. He was born in Sebastopol, CA on July 8, 1938, to Laura Mae (Cox) & William “Bill” Spencer Parmeter.

Fred spent the first eight years of his life in Bodega, CA, where his father worked for a rancher breaking horses before his family moved to Duncans Mills, CA, and his father started driving a milk truck. Around age twelve, his family moved to his mother Laura’s family ranch on Pole Mountain in Cazadero, CA, and it was at this time his dad started running sheep and logging. At the age of fourteen, Fred got his first job as a choker setter for his older brother George, working for Berry’s Sawmill. From there he started working for the Boy Scouts Camp as a wrangler, where he broke horses and led trail rides. When Fred was seventeen, he met his wife, Barbara Jean Williams. One day they were driving on Trenton Road, when they were struck by another vehicle landing them both in the hospital, with Fred in a full body cast. Shortly after the car accident, Fred and Barb married on August 16, 1957, and moved to Duncans Mills. Just out of the hospital following the car accident, he was offered a job at Bohan & Canelis, a rock quarry in Cazadero, running heavy equipment, where he worked for about nine years, followed by a few years with Argonaut Constructors. Fred then began working for his cousin Ken at Parmeter Logging & Excavation, in Cazadero, for roughly 40 years until his retirement. In the 1960’s Fred’s father Bill acquired property on Chimney Rock Rd from the Mohrhardts & Schneiders, which is where Fred & Barbara built their home and raised their four daughters and grandchildren, providing a life that will be cherished for generations to come. 

Fred was known for his charismatic, kind, and caring nature, who would give you the shirt off his back and invite you to have a glass of wine, always ready with an inappropriate comment or joke. He was the type of man to leave a lasting impression on people, with many referring to him as a legend and someone they looked up to. Most anyone who has had the privilege of meeting him will have a funny story to share and kind words for him. Fred enjoyed spending his time outdoors, whether that was gathering cows, tinkering in his shop or on his tractors, camping with his friends & family, or motoring around on his side-by-side tending various projects on his ranch. 

Fred is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Barbara. Daughters Terry (Joe) Chambers, Sherry Parmeter, Annette (Dave) Holley, and Laurie (Steve) Krausmann. Siblings Lynn Anderson and Roy Parmeter. Grandchildren Nicole (Joel) King, Tiana (Tony) Landeros, Katrina Chambers, Timothy (Laci) Holley, Janelle (Del) Rebentisch, Jonathan Anderson, Liana Chambers, Theresa Anderson, Kayla (Jamison) Mersino, and Thomas (Lexi) Krausmann. Great-grandchildren Payton & Rylie King, Bailey & Lucas Landeros, Cora, Harley, Jolene & Quinn Holley, Tyler & Weston Rebentisch, Chrissy & Logan Mersino, and Presley Krausmann. As well as countless relatives and life-long friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Laura Parmeter, and siblings, Margaret, and George. 

Those who knew Fred are invited to remember a life well-lived, filled with laughter and love. A celebration of Fred's life will be held September 28, 2024, at 1pm at the Russian River Rodeo grounds/Bill Parmeter Field in Duncans Mills, CA.