A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel, 16524 S. Center Ave., Los Banos, for Fred Thames, 89. He died Sept. 3, 2010 in Modesto. A military burial following the service will be conducted at the San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella.
Born May 4, 1921 in Forest, Miss., to Charlie and Willie Thames, Fred attended Little Rock School in Harperville, Miss. He worked as a truck driver out of Jackson, Miss., until entering the Army in 1942. During World War II, Fred was assigned to the 364th Engineer Regiment and served honorably as a member of the "Red Ball Express." His service included battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. After his military service, he moved to the west coast where he settled in Pittsburg and worked for U.S. Steel for 36 years, retiring as foreman. After retirement, Mr. Thamas lived in Vallejo, Los Banos and Ceres. He was an active member of the Primitive Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. Mr. Thames was also a member of VFW chapter #03199. He enjoyed family, hunting and fishing.
He leaves behind five children, Connie Wright, Janet Amerson, Fred Thames Jr., Rhonda Jackson and Todd Thames; his brother, Marion Griffin, and numerous grandchildren.
-Ceres Courier/ September 15, 2010
Born May 4, 1921 in Forest, Miss., to Charlie and Willie Thames, Fred attended Little Rock School in Harperville, Miss. He worked as a truck driver out of Jackson, Miss., until entering the Army in 1942. During World War II, Fred was assigned to the 364th Engineer Regiment and served honorably as a member of the "Red Ball Express." His service included battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. After his military service, he moved to the west coast where he settled in Pittsburg and worked for U.S. Steel for 36 years, retiring as foreman. After retirement, Mr. Thamas lived in Vallejo, Los Banos and Ceres. He was an active member of the Primitive Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. Mr. Thames was also a member of VFW chapter #03199. He enjoyed family, hunting and fishing.
He leaves behind five children, Connie Wright, Janet Amerson, Fred Thames Jr., Rhonda Jackson and Todd Thames; his brother, Marion Griffin, and numerous grandchildren.
-Ceres Courier/ September 15, 2010
