Frederick Leo Gwynn

GWYNN FREDERICK LEO, 72, of Fern Creek, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, March 15, 2006, and now is singing in the greatest choir of all, the angelic choir. Fred was born and raised in Parkersburg, WV. He was a 1951 graduate of Parkersburg High School. He came to Louisville in 1951 at the urging of a friend, Dr. Howard Blackburn, to attend the St. Joseph's Infirmary School of Radiology. After completion of his schooling, he enjoyed Louisville enough to make it his home. He was employed at St. Joseph's until 1960. In 1960, he began working at Methodist Evangelical Hospital, where he was the director of radiology for 33 years until his retirement in 1993. He made the employees of MEH a part of his family up to his final days. He was also responsible for having the first department in KY to x-ray Halloween candy for the safety of children. Fred was also a member of the Kentucky Society Radiologic Technologists, where he was given the Richard E. Smith and Olive Bell Award, and the Lifetime Member Awards for his tireless involvement for the professional careers of radiographers. Fred also gave a great deal of time to St. Gabriel and St. Bernard Catholic Churches and Fern Creek High School. He coached football, and was an active parish member at St. Gabriel until St. Bernard was built. He was one of the original parishioners of the new St. Bernard Church. There, he was the first athletic director as well as 7th and 8th grade football coach for 15 years. Fred was able to reunite with many of his players in July of 2005, at a football reunion held in his honor. He was also a founding member of the choir at St. Bernard. "He sang anytime anyone would listen." Fern Creek High School Alumni gave Fred the Lifetime Achievement Award, and adopted him as a member of the Hall of Fame in 2005 for his 28 years of tireless volunteering. Fred's hobbies were cheering for and traveling with U of L, vacationing with family and growing a vegetable garden. Fred always claimed to be the first tailgater for football games, starting in the late 1960's. He made cheering for U of L a family tradition, and now his grandson, Brandon, is a U of L cheerleader. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Brian Ward; his father, William F. Gwynn; and a niece, Beth Ann Wilson. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Grace A. (Pflanz), formerly of Corydon, IN. Fred's children and grandchildren were his pride and joy and always enjoyed spending as much time with them as he could. He is also survived by eight children, Stan of San Antonio TX, Greg (Carol) of Orlando FL, Ann Deddens (Alan) of Mooresville, NC, Mike, Donna, Jack, Joe (Barbara), and Stacy of Louisville; his grandchildren, Allison and Brandon, Meagan and Taylor of Texas, Kelci and Marissa of North Carolina, and Joshua of Florida; his mother, Ada Snyder Gwynn of Parkersburg, WV; and a sister, Joan Wilson, (Rodney) of Pawhuska, OK, and their five children; and many aunts, an uncle, and cousins in West Virginia , Ohio, and Kentucky. The Pflanz brothers and sister-in-laws were special to Fred as well as the nieces and nephews in Indiana. While Fred had a large family of his own, he always made his friends and colleagues part of that family. Fred held very close to his heart Ann and Pete Fail and their children, Christine, Katie and Jessica of Huntersville, NC. His funeral Mass will be held at noon on Monday at St. Bernard Church. Visitation will be held from 2-7 p.m. on Saturday evening, and from noon -7 p.m. on Sunday at Resthaven on Bardstown Road. A prayer vigil will held at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Resthaven. The family would like to thank Judy and Richard at Hospice of Louisville, whose care set the standard of excellence. Memorial donations may be sent to his church, St. Bernard Catholic Church, 7500 Tangelo Drive, Louisville, KY 40228, or Hospice of Louisville.