Fred Love

Fred Love

August 25, 1952 – February 20, 2022

Preceded in death by sister, Cynthia; brother, Terry. Survived by wife of 38 years, Mary Kay; children: Josh (Katie), Nick, and Jen, all of Omaha and Yvonne, Colin, and Janelle, all of Wichita, Kansas; mother, Betty; niece, Kenya; beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous family and friends.

VISITATION: Saturday, March 5th from 10am to 11am, at the West Center Chapel, followed by CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE at 11am.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice.

To view a live broadcast of the Celebration of Life Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.

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Fred was born in Oklahoma City on August 25, 1952.  His mother, Betty, raised him in Wichita along with Fred’s younger sister, Cynthia, and younger brother, Terry.

An enormous amount of Fred’s youth was spent interacting with his extended family consisting of many aunts, uncles and cousins. It was no secret that some of Fred’s most cherished memories were of spending his summers at his grandparent’s place “in the country” outside of Purcell, OK.  He talked fondly about those good old days –  exploring the nearby fields, fishing and going to town with his Grandpa Jim, walking up the road to church on Sundays, sitting at the table watching his Aunt Myrte cook, and following his Grandma Pearle around their land doing chores.  He will tell you that those times were some of the best days of his life and helped shape him into the person he became as an adult.

At a young age, Fred had a passion for sports and was a gifted athlete, particularly in basketball and football. Playing on various teams throughout his youth provided him the opportunity to develop many friendships that carried over into adulthood. He graduated from Wichita Heights High School in 1970 and went on to play football at Independence Community College.  This is where he met his first wife, Alice.  Together they had three children, Yvonne, Colin, and Janelle. In 1980, Fred moved to Omaha and met his current wife, Mary Kay.  They married in 1983 and had two sons, Josh and Nick.  He has 13 cherished grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Fred shares a close bond with his niece, Kenya, and Jen, the mother of two of his grandchildren, who has become like another daughter to him.   

Fred worked as a store manager at an industrial equipment company for 29 years.  After leaving that position, he realized he was not ready for retirement and became a school bus driver, which he has been doing for the last 10 years.   He enjoyed the interaction with the students and continued to work as a bus driver until shortly before his death.

Fred was a straight shooter and you always knew where you stood with him. He was laid back, charming, hard working, loyal and easy to love. It was not in his nature to be phony or disingenuous.  In his free time, he loved to spend time with family, fish, grill, watch sports, travel, sit out on the back deck and just chill.

After undergoing surgery on December 17, he spent the last several weeks at home but was not able to overcome his health conditions.  Fred died at home on February 20.  The void he has created by leaving us too soon will never be filled.  We will cherish our memories forever and will speak of him often through both tears and laughter. Rest easy.  We love you, Fred!

Preceded in death by sister, Cynthia and brother, Terry.  Survived by wife of 38 years, Mary Kay; children, Josh (Katie), Nick, Jen, of Omaha,  Yvonne, Colin, Janelle, of Wichita; mother, Betty; niece, Kenya; beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, and numerous family and friends.