Ronald L. Frede

Ronald "Ron" Lee Frede, an only child of John and Martha (Turpin) Frede, was born on January 30, 1939, in Saint Louis, Missouri. Ron entered eternal peace while surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at his home in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Ron's parents, being small business entrepreneurs, taught him the importance of an honest day's work. As a young boy, he worked at a grocery store and reset bowling pins at Bowl Ero Lanes prior to electronic pinsetters. In 7th grade music class, Ron's life took a new direction when he first heard J.S. Bach's "Little Fugue in G minor." At this moment, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in music, and later was inspired to become a music teacher by his mentor, Max Plavnick.

Growing up in Ferguson, Ron graduated from Ferguson High School in 1957, which later was renamed McCluer High School. Ron then earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri in 1961, where he met and later married his college sweetheart, Virginia "Jenny" McCoy, during the same year. Ron also earned a Master of Arts in Music Education from Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, and completed postgraduate studies at Webster University in Webster Groves and the University of Missouri in St. Louis.

In 1961, Ron accepted his first position teaching vocal music and band in Pacific, Missouri. His wife Jenny taught music in Washington, Missouri until the birth of their daughter Holly in 1963. Nineteen months later, their son Lee Frede was born. In 1965, they moved back to North County, where Ron became Director of Bands at McCluer High School. He retired from this role 30 years later.

Under Ron Frede's direction, McCluer High School was the first in the state of Missouri to initiate Symphonic Wind Ensembles as part of its curriculum. In 1973, the band was selected as the most outstanding concert band at the "Youth and Music" International Festival in Vienna, Austria. In 1976, they also traveled to Washington D.C. during the United States bicentennial. In 1979, they were selected as the most outstanding band at the International Music Festival held in Seefeld, Austria. Their travels included performances at the Midwest Music Educator's National Convention in Chicago, Illinois and to the World's Fair in 1982 at Knoxville, TN.

Following his retirement, Ron cared for several family members as they journeyed towards the end of life. He was a loyal caregiver for his wife, Jenny, as she battled cancer, as well as a dedicated father to Lee and Holly. Jenny and Ron moved to Union, Missouri and lived a peaceful life for 22 years in a home that they designed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jenny Frede; his parents, John and Martha Frede; and his mother and father-in-law, Fred and Wilma McCoy.

Ron is survived by his son, Lee Frede; his daughter, Holly Smardo and husband Dr. Fred Smardo; his granddaughter, Dr. Carissa Sherwood and husband Jared Sherwood; grandson, Dr. Craig Smardo and his fiancee Alexandra Richardson; and his brother-in-law, Fred McCoy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 7, from noon to 2p.m. prior to the funeral, with the funeral beginning at 2 p.m. at Saint Jordan's Church, 392 Saint Jordan's Road, Beaufort, MO.

Dinner will be served following the ceremony.

Memorial contributions can be made in his honor to Saint Jordan's United Church of Christ.

The Frede family was served by Oltmann Funeral Home, Union.