Fred S. Witty Jr.

April 22, 1923 - August 12, 2016

Fred S. Witty, Jr 93, passed away Friday August 12, 2016 after a brief illness. Fred was preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred S. Witty, Sr and Lois D. Witty. He was born April 22, 1923 in Checotah, OK, moving with his family to NM at the age of five. Fred graduated from Tucumcari High School before attending New Mexico State University. His college education was interrupted with service in the United States Army. He served in Germany and Italy during WWII returning to New Mexico State to complete his degree in Animal Husbandry. Fred became active in the Baptist Student Union taking a leadership role upon the departure of the BSU director. He then went to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and completed a Masters in Divinity. While on a summer break working for the New Mexico State baptist association he met Joy Weeks. They married at the seminary December 28, 1951. He worked as BSU director at the University of Louisville until taking a position at East Tennessee State College where he served until his retirement in 1993. Fred has served as interim pastor at several area churches, been active in Kiwanis, guided the Widowed Persons Support Group and been a faithful member of Central Baptist Church where he taught the T.C. Carson Sunday School class for many years. Survivors include, his wife of 64 years, Joy; son Fred S. Witty III of Johnson City, TN; daughter Elaine Binegar and her husband Steve of Tehachapi, CA; Ann Johnson and her husband Kevin of Vancouver, WA and three grandchildren, Sean Johnson , Kyle Johnson and Brennen Johnson of Vancouver, WA. The remembrance of life service will be held at Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN on August 25th, 2016 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Fred S. Witty, Jr. Scholarship through the Baptist Foundation. This scholarship was created to assure all Baptist Campus Ministry students at ETSU are able to participate in retreats and other off campus events. Checks made out to the Baptist Foundation can be mailed to the ETSU BCM at 1012 Seminole Dr Johnson City, TN or made at ETSUBCM.ORG, please specify the scholarship.