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Fred Robert "Fritz" Balduff, resident of Ponca City, died Friday, March 9, 2007 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 73.
A memorial service will be held at 2PM, Friday, March 16, at First Christian Church, with the Rev. Larry B. Metzger, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.
Fred was born March 5, 1934 in Ponca City to Marion Albert Balduff, Sr. and Bernice Lynett Underside Balduff. He attended Lincoln Elementary School in Ponca City until age 7 when the family moved to Goderich, Ontario, Canada while his father served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1941-1944. During this time the family resided in several provinces in Canada. His father then transferred to U.S. military service and was stationed in California before moving the family to Marland, OK.
Fred graduated from Marland High School in 1952. He married Neva Jo Wilkins on January 17, 1953 in Marland. During their married life they resided in numerous cities in which Fred attended college to study engineering. He attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, OK, Wichita State University in Wichita, KS, Denver University in Denver, CO and San Diego State University in San Diego, CA. He was employed as a draftsman and later as an aeronautical engineer at several aircraft manufacturers- Beech aircraft in Wichita, KS and Boulder, CO, Convair in San Diego, CA and Lockheed in Sunnyvale, CA where he was employed in the Missiles and Space Division.
The Balduffs moved to Ponca City in 1962, in order for Fred to join his father-in-law, Wendell Wilkins, in the family business at Wilkins Equipment, Inc., where he was an employee and, later, owner until 1988. He owned and operated Gregg Transfer and Storage for a short period of time, and also purchased Universal Travel in 1989 and operated the company until his ill health occasioned the closing of the business in 2005.
Fred was an active member of First Christian Church, Ponca City, where he served as deacon, elder and treasurer as well as being a devoted volunteer for the children's choir and Friendship Feast. He also was a member of many organizations through the years- Rotary Club, Elks, Tippers, National and local Oklahoma City Chapter of the Mercedes Benz Club of America, Ambucs, JayCees, the Chamber of Commerce, Ponca City Main Street Authority and served on the Ponca City Planning Commission. Fred was an avid car enthusiast, and enjoyed travel of every variety.
He is survived by his wife, Neva, of the home, son Stephen Robert Balduff of Norman, OK, daughter, Sherri Lynn Davis of Ponca City, brothers: Marion Albert "Sonny" Balduff and wife Charlotte of Fairfax, OK, William Frank "Willie" Balduff and wife Marilyn of Granada Hills, CA; sisters: Le Anna Sue Diamond of Marland, OK, Boe Tate Landfield and husband Richard of Yorba Linda, CA; granddaughter Elise Janelle Davis of Oklahoma City, sister-in-law Kristi Hanna and husband John; one aunt and uncle and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elizabeth Lynnette Parent, grandson Bret Robert Davis and father-in-law Wendell Wilkins.
Honorary casketbearers will be Bob Westmoreland, Charles Thompson, Bill Schickram, Ralph Beaty, Richard Gregg, Merle Helt and the Koinonia Class of First Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Feast c/o First Christian Church, 210 N. 5th, Ponca City, OK 74601.
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