Fred was born July 17, 1938 to Everett and Ruth Gangwer in Sherwood Oregon. He moved to Pine Grove in the Hood River Valley when he was 2. His family owned and operated a Dairy Farm while he was growing up. He attended Pine Grove Grade and Jr. High School. He graduated from Wy’East High School in 1956. He served in the US Army from 1957 to 1960. He served in Germany and Alaska. He married Betty Roche in June of 1960. They moved to Gresham in 1961 where they had a home built and lived there many years.
Fred worked for Acme Flavoring in Portland for 1 year, then went to work for a John Deere dealer, Hessel Tractor, in Gresham and Portland for 40 years until they sold to Pape Machinery, then he worked for them for 5 years until his retirement.
Fred was active in Cub Scout Pack 664 as Cub Master for 5 years. He also helped with Gresham Little League for years. He was very active in the Gresham Elks Lodge and the 1805 Players, Elks on Wheels, Bingo and the Vetrans Programs. He served as Amercanism chairman in the Lodge, and was Elk of the year for 1999-2000. He and Betty had an RV and traveled around the United States many times.
He is preceded in death by brother, Jack Gangwer and sister, Linda Walters. He is survived by wife, Betty; Sons, Bill (Wendy) of Eugene and Bob (Kim) of Damascus; six grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
A private inurnment will be held at Willamette National Cemetery.
Condolences(5) 
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MARY REIDLINGER says
August 4, 2022 at 4:15 pmFred was a wonderfully caring man and a precious friend, he will be in our hearts forever.
Donna J Lazenby says
August 6, 2022 at 10:37 amThank you for being my friend!!!
Shaun Benson says
August 15, 2022 at 11:38 amFred will be missed. I enjoyed many years of him and Betty coming to the VA to serve out Veterans, as well as leading the effort for the Veterans Show & Desert, raising $1000’s for the Veterans of the Portland VA.
Julie lyon says
September 3, 2022 at 9:39 pmFred was a very special person to me that brought so many smiles to all he was around. I will forever hold the listen e plate names he built for my kids and an anniversary one for myself. The elks and bingo will never be the same without him. Rest in paradise my sweet Fred.
Katie Cassatt says
October 10, 2022 at 3:47 pm“Tom, we’ve already done that” will always make us laugh. We feel so blessed to have known Fred and worked the Elks Veteran’s Show for several years during which a line dance brought that above line.
The dance was a mess, but so loved by audience and all. We feel a hole in our heart that can’t or shouldn’t be filled with the memory of a kind, service–driven man. Fly away home Fred, fly away.