Fred Leland Close Jr

Fred Leland Close Jr 82, of Sierra Vista Arizona, passed away on July 6, 2024. Fred was born in October 1941 and adopted by Fred and Martha Close. When he was five, his mother noticed him filling water glasses in a row and playing music with their sounds. His parents bought him a piano and piano lessons. Fred continued to excel through the years and won a music scholarship to Arlington State College of the University of Texas with a double major in piano and percussion. He later changed his major to Business Administration (Accounting) and graduated 1966.

Vietnam came and Fred served with the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company. He served in the U.S. Army for 20 years as a helicopter pilot and comptroller and retired with the rank of Major. His awards and Decorations include Senior Army Aviator Badge, Bronze Star with Medal w/V Device, Meritorious Service Medal w/3d Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Service Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal w/7th Award and the Army Service Ribbon.

After his tour in Vietnam, Fred graduated from the University of Alabama in 1974 with a Master of Arts degree in Accounting and then was assigned to South Korea. In 1976 he was assigned to Edgewood Arsenal in Edgewood Maryland where he met and married Irene Silagyi. He then served as the Executive Officer for the ROTC detachment at Rutgers the State University of New Jersey. In 1981 Fred was assigned to the 205th Transportation Battalion in Hanau, West Germany where he served as executive officer for the battalion and commander of B Company.

In 1986 Fred retired and the family moved to Sierra Vista, Arizona. Fred worked as a financial consultant and later taught business and economics at Cochise College.

After his second retirement, Fred returned to his first love, music, and joined the Sierra Vista Community Chorus as an accompanist, percussionist, and tenor. He was an active member of the Sierra Vista Community United Church of Christ (SVCUCC) serving in the choir as an accompanist and tenor. He served the church as moderator and treasurer and held many positions on boards and committees. He received the Kiwanis Hickson Award in 1999 and was voted Kiwanian of the Year 1990-1991 and 2004-2005. Fred was a Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.

Fred loved God, his family, his country, flying, and music. He was a devoted son, husband, father, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Irene, his daughter Stephanie and son-in-law Cody Donovan. A Celebration of Life for Fred with military honors will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Sierra Vista Community United Church of Christ, 240 N. Hwy 90 Bypass, just north of Target. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SVCUCC Music Program or the charity of your choice.

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