Lt. Col. Steven Fred

Lt. Col. Steven J. Fred, 74, of Fairfax, Virginia, proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, passed away on July 30, 2024. The son of Harry and Bernice "Bunny" Fred, he was born October 17, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Southern Illinois University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics, and Michigan Technological University, earning his Master of Science in Business Administration. In the Air Force, Steve was a navigator and taught flight school. He served in the Vietnam War and later as part of the Strategic Air Command, flying on KC-135 aerial refueling tankers and the EC-135 "Looking Glass."
After retiring from the military, Steve worked at the National Defense University and then had a long career as a real estate agent. He loved riding his motorcycle with his friends from the Fairfax Chapter of the Harley Owners Group. He also loved traveling and was proud to have been to all seven continents. He was happiest surrounded by friends and family, whether attending sporting events, hosting BBQs, or dressing up as Santa for the grandkids. He routinely volunteered in the local Northern Virginia community and drove disabled veterans to and from medical appointments throughout the D.C. metro area.
He is survived by his son, Benjamin Fred and wife, Lori, of Falls Church; daughter, Stefanie Riddile and husband, Mike, of Burke; grandchildren, Abigail and Isaac Fred and Saoirse Riddile; former spouse, Martha Fred of Arlington; sister, Pamela Fred and husband, Thomas Hickson of Summerville, South Carolina; loving partner Christina Lyons and her two sons William Demestihas and wife, Helen, of Nashville, Tennessee; and Alex Demestihas and wife, Olga, of Annandale; and her grandchildren, Alexis and Sasha Demestihas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood in Steve's memory through Inova or your local hospital. A service honoring the life of Steve Fred will be held August 16, 2024, at 1pm at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032, with visitation beginning at 12pm.