Dr. Frederick Charles Lichota OD

Dr. Frederick Charles Lichota, OD
Our loving father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend peacefully passed away with his children by his side on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at the age of 67.
Fred was born in Port Huron, Michigan on July 28, 1954, the son of the late Stephen and Sally (Mokanyk) Lichota. He was married to Audrey Machul on October 17, 1987, in Saginaw, Michigan. Audrey preceded him in death on October 13, 1995.
Fred was a 1972 Yale High School graduate, continued his undergraduate education at Northern Michigan University, and earned his Doctor of Optometry degree at Ferris State University. Fred pursued a path of entrepreneurship and started his own business in Metro Detroit, proudly owning, operating, and caring for patients at Advanced Vision Centers for over 38 years before retiring in 2020.
Full of love, wisdom, good recipes, and a passion for hard work, Fred will be remembered and celebrated for many things. Family and traditions were very important to him, and he took great pride in managing Lichota Farms in Goodells, Michigan. He was most "in-his-element" while tinkering through his endless list of projects, which often included tending to his fruit trees, honey bees, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. Fred was an avid supporter of the 4-H youth organization, and he was proud to see his kids and nieces/nephews participate and enjoy it as much as he did growing up. He also supported the Boy Scouts of America, watching his son, nephews, and friends grow up through the Scout ranks. Above all, Fred was always centered on what was most important to him: his family and friends.
Surviving are his two children, Bradford (Ali) Lichota of Ann Arbor and Melissa (fiancé, Zackary Hickman) Lichota of Austin, Texas; a granddaughter, Emerson Lichota; siblings, Stephen (Rene) Lichota of Goodells, Walter (Karen) Lichota of Richmond, Linda (George) Speirs of Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, Teresa (Tom) Wesolowski of East China Twp, Mary (Andrew) Schrand of Kenockee Twp, Pauline (Rob) Rutkofske of Avoca and Edward (Kimberly) Lichota of Goodells; his beloved companion, Vicki Wood, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Kaatz Funeral Directors, Richmond. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Emmett, MI, with a memorial church service to follow at 10:30 a.m. There will be a celebration of Fred's life on September 24, 2022.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the 4-H Youth Organization or the Boy Scouts of America.