Frederick Douglas Harrod Jr.

On Sunday, January 25, 2026, Frederick Douglass Harrod, Jr. departed this life. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 27, 1930. He was the second child born to the late Frederick Douglass Harrod, Sr. and Gladys Dennis Harrod.

Frederick received his education from Philadelphia Public Schools and graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1948. He went on to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. At Howard, he was a founding charter member of "The Bambulas", a service fraternity. While at Howard, he met Barbara M. Powell, whom he wed on October 1, 1950. Frederick & Barbara were blessed with three beloved children: Frederick III, Harvey and Lydia. In 1965, Frederick married a second time, to Monica Beverley of St. Catherine Parrish, Jamaica. Frederick & Monica were blessed with two beloved children: Shaun and Sia.

His first job was working for his father at Harrod's One Hour Cleaners in Philadelphia. He had various employers in Philadelphia, which included the Youth Study Center, General Electric and the School District of Philadelphia. The highlight of his career was at the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) where he designed and created the dry cleaners training center at the OIC Germantown Branch. He owned and operated Progress Plaza Cleaners, created by Dr. Rev Leon Sullivan, the founder of OIC. Frederick was the first president of the Progress Plaza's Association. He was also a liaison for OIC & the Rentex Corporation for 5 years. After leaving OIC, Frederick carried his passion for helping others into roles at Safe Streets, Mantua Human Services, and Willingboro Public Schools, before concluding his career at The ARC in Trenton, NJ.

Frederick loved the water. Cape May, NJ, Columbia Beach, MD, and Atlantic City, NJ, were a few of his favorites. He was a talented artist and loved to paint. His hobbies included photography, travel, producing home movies, and watching his favorite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles (the "Iggles" as he would say). He had a great sense of humor and was simply "Pop-Pop" to his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son Harvey Harrod. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, Monica Harrod. Children: Frederick Harrod III (Ruth), Lydia Harrod Newman, Shaun Harrod, Sia Harrod Aning (Ernest). His sister, Sylvia Blackwell. Nieces, Karen, Sahar, and Krista, and nephew, Nelson. Daughter-in-law, Mirta Harrod (Harvey). Grandchildren: Noelle, Douglass, Royce, Jamileth, Harvey Jr., Genesis, Joseph, Marcus, A'Lana, Corban, Jordan, Timothy, Jackeline and Lihanny. Great-grandchildren: Kalib, Reyna, Jarisbeth, Erick, Jazlynn, Christina, Isabelle, Layla and Iris. Great-great grandchild, Janiece. His longtime friends, Neville Monfries and Wayne Thomas. Frederick will be deeply missed by all his loving family and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to Frederick's visitation on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 11AM to 12PM at Calvary Church, 317 Conrow Road, Delran, NJ 08075. Memorial service to follow at 12PM.

In lieu of flowers please donate to UNCF, a foundation that Frederick was passionate about, at

https://give.uncf.org/site/Donation2?idb=1587707255&13162.donation=form1&df_id=13162&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=evergreen&utm_medium=paid&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23101769722&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyvHLBhDlARIsAHxl6xpniUblq4xEhi0DRM-6c7gmREDRw7gH7LqiLAy4EmnGrnUHiYB6jusaAnl2EALw_wcB.