By: Johannah Couch - 13 yrs. old
"You never know until it's gone" is a saying that has been around for a while. That is just what this biography has shown me. It has helped me learn more about my grandpa than I ever really knew. My Grandpa passed away August 31, 2007. While reading this you will learn some things about him, Fred W. Couch
Fred was born on February 21, 1933 in Illinois. He grew up with three brothers, and his parents were Manson Clearence Couch and Beulah Mae Smith. His father was a school teacher.
Fred was born during the Great Depression, at the time that Franklin Roosevelt was president. Fred lived through the time of the last twelve presidents. When he was at the age of seven, World War ÏI started. He also lived through the Korean War, Vietnam, and 9-11. Fred saw the first colored television with a remote be invented. He learned to use the remote very quickly, and he used it a lot.
Fred graduated from Johnson Bible College in 1954. Then, he went to Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, where he graduated in 1961. He went there two days a week and spent the night in Indianapolis. It took him longer to get his degree because he was working as a minister in Terre Haute. He was a preacher for fifty-five years. That caused him and his family to move a few different places. In 1973 Fred and his wife went on a missionary trip to Hawaii. After retiring from the ministry, he worked at a store called Marsh. Even though Fred was retired he still was very faithful to the Lord.
He met Joyce M. Hunsicker as a freshman in Johnson Bible College. Their first date was on October 1952 at Harriman Tennessee, for a Revival. "Guess it was love at first sight for the both of us, because neither of us dated anyone else after that", says Joyce. Fred and Joyce got married June 11, of 1954. They had five children; Linda, David, Freddie Joe, Sally, and Kelli. Freddie Joe was killed in a car accident on February 13, 1978.
Fred and Joyce also have fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They traveled many places just to visit their grandchildren, whether it was for sports, plays, birthdays, or just to visit. They went to England, Ghana, and of course many places in the states. Fred would take his video camera to capture memorable moments in his family's lives.
Some of Fred's favorite hymns were "How Great Thou Art", "It is Well With My Soul", "When They Ring Those Golden Bells", and "The Touch of His Hand on Mine". If Fred said that he was going to do something or help somebody, he would do his best at it. He never asked one of his grandchildren to do something that he wouldn't do himself, and he wouldn't just tell them to do it, but he would show them how to do it.
Fred was a true man of God and it showed in his life. He made a bigger impact on other people's lives than anyone truly realized, until at the funeral home. One person in particular, was a 16 year old boy that worked with Fred at Marsh. That boy had come to the visitation. He thought a lot of Fred and had a great respect for him.
Fred knew his Bible, and if someone said something that was not in agreement with it, he was quick to give them his thoughts. "I had the best husband in the world. Yes, we had our differences, but he could never be replaced! God gave me the best! Our kids had the best father in the world, and our grandkids and great-grandkids had the best grandfather." Joyce says.
In February we found out that my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer. He took treatments and was doing real well. Then, in August, it was getting worse. We visited him and I made him cards. When he wasn't getting any better all of his family was able to be with him at the hospital. He sang songs and read scriptures with us. Then, he passed away. It is hard for us to get used to, but we know that he was faithful to his God and went to be with Him when he died.
In conclusion, we see that Fred lived through special moments in history, had a great impact on people's lives, and was a man of God. I hope that this biography has brought you to know some facts about Fred. |
