Frederick Thomas Church

Frederick Thomas Church passed away on October 10th, 2024, at 84, surrounded by his family.

Fred and his twin brother, Bob, were born in Chicago, IL, to Vivian Blackburn and Leroy Church. During his youth, he lived in several places, including Grand Rapids, MI, and Cincinnati, OH. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1962 and served until 1965. Fred always had many stories to tell about his experiences and adventures during his time serving in Europe, including the time he shot an intruder in the butt while attempting to protect the base.
Fred met Carol Lee Jerick in 1966 at a Cleveland hotel where Carol was staying during a layover while working as an airline stewardess. He even tried to impress her with his "famous dive" into the pool. Three months later, they married. Fred and Carol lived in Cleveland and Toledo, OH, where they had their first daughter, Lisa. They later relocated to Bloomington/Normal, IL, and had their second daughter, Marcy. Fred was a dynamic salesman who found his passion in selling auto parts.

After working in sales for several years, he started his own business in Illinois. Fred owned Twin City Auto Parts in Normal, City Auto Parts in Clinton, and Baird's Auto and Tire in Normal. During his time as a successful business owner, he met many business associates and people who later became some of his best friends. After selling his businesses, he started his own sales agency called Li/Mar Sales, named after his daughters Lisa and Marcy. He traveled the U.S. selling many auto parts lines. After many years, he settled into his final job before retirement as the National Sales Manager for Emco in Des Moines, Iowa.

Fred was a unique person who always made his family and friends laugh. This included showing everyone he met his "Pride and Joy" and telling jokes his family still retells. He was loving, had a heart of gold, and always wanted to help people, even when he had just met them. He enjoyed traveling with his family and took his daughters on several business trips with him around the country.

He loved spending time with his grandkids. Some of his favorite activities included hiding eggs for Easter hunts and taking them bowling.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughters, Lisa Wright and Marcy Jensen (Jason); and grandchildren, Jacob and Zach Wright, and Dylan and Ashley Jensen.

There are no words to express the huge void Fred has left and how much he is missed.

Up until the end, his family gathered every week for dinners and coffee, usually at his favorite places. He was a very loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a Christian man who enjoyed going to church with his family. His family knows he is now at peace, free from pain, and will see him again one day.

There will be an open house celebration of life on Saturday, March 29th, from 11 am to 1 pm at the Western Village Park office, located at 2000 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265. Friends and family are invited to stop by and share fellowship, memories, and laughs.

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