Fred Erwin Whitesell, age 85, of Carthage, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born July 30, 1936 in Burlington, NC to the late Delis Herbert Whitesell and the late Alice Irene Jeffreys Whitesell. He and his family moved to the Pinehurst area when he was one-year-old. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ferne Bunch; and brothers, Vernon, Leonard, Mark, Delis Herbert Jr., David, Max and Kenneth.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Linda Blue Whitesell; daughters, Sharon McDuffie (the late Ted McDuffie), Alison Kluttz (Darryl), grandchildren: Madisyn McDuffie (fiancé Robert Garzo) and Maya McDuffie, sisters: Linda Upole of West End, Mary Mills of Parma, Michigan and sister-in-laws Leslie Whitesell of Troy and Deelie Whitesell of Carthage. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Fred was a graduate of Pinehurst High School and NC State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Construction in 1960. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard. He was a licensed North Carolina Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor. He retired with 36 years of service from the North Carolina Department of Transportation serving as Division 8 Engineer prior to his retirement in 1996. Upon retirement, he was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Hunt.
Fred grew up attending Culdee Presbyterian Church serving as an Elder and later became a Charter Member of Pinehurst United Methodist Church. He served as Chairman of the Building Committee for Pinehurst UMC and was very active on many other committees. Fred loved music and was a member of a quartet for many years and a very active choir member. He was a charter member and a former volunteer fireman for the Eastwood Fire Department. He was also an active member of the Pinehurst Lions Club.
Fred loved his family and enjoyed family time. He enjoyed gardening and being outdoors. He also enjoyed carpentry which resulted in many pieces of furniture he built for his family throughout the years. Lastly, Fred was an avid NCSU Wolfpacker, loving all NCSU sports, especially basketball and football. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
A visitation will be held Sunday, May 8, 2022 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at the Boles Funeral Home in Pinehurst, 35 Parker Lane, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
A funeral service will be held Monday, May 9, 2022 11:00 am at Pinehurst United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Culdee Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Eastwood.
Memorials may be made to Pinehurst United Methodist Church at 4111 Airport Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374 or to First Health Hospice and Palliative care at 150 Applecross Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Online condolences may be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
