Fred B. Towle

Fred Towle, 90, passed peacefully on May 2, 2017. He was born Frederick Bernard Towle Jr. on October 14, 1926, as an only child to Frederick Bernard and Mayme Towle in San Mateo, California. He was happily married to his loving wife, Donna, for 69 years. Fred graduated from Olympia High School and attended Saint Martin’s College. He served in the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1946, and served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948. In his younger years, Fred was employed by Stone’s Candy Company. After 37 years at the Olympia Brewing Company, he retired in 1986. He was a member of Elks Lodge, the Olympia Golf and Country Club, and SunCrest Golf and Country Club in Palm Desert, California. Fred enjoyed many years of clamming, fishing, barbecuing, and boating with his family and friends, and spending time at their cabin in Westport. Many early years were spent at their beach house at Sunrise Beach in Olympia. He always looked forward to regular card games with his special group of friends, golfing, reading, gardening, grocery shopping at Fred Meyer, cooking, and walking his little dog, Mickie. “Freddy” (as many knew him) will be lovingly remembered as a very generous person, always looking out for others. He was immensely proud of his family. After retirement, Fred and Donna spent countless years traveling throughout the Southwest and Hawaii, finally settling seven months each year at their home in Palm Desert, California. They enjoyed many years of golf and socializing with friends in the warm sunshine. Although he wouldn’t feel it noteworthy, Fred had three holes-in-one in his golf career. Fred is survived by his devoted wife, Donna; their five children, Barney (Chris) Towle of Westport, Mike (Joyce) Towle of Westport, Georgia Rae (Dan) Martin of Olympia, Bob (Andrea) Towle of Ocean Shores, and Detta Dayton of Olympia; 14 grandchildren, Andrea (Mike), Jennifer (Matt), Melisah (Steven), Ryan (Chantel), Mark (Andrea), Matt (Keri), Anuhea (Randy), Kelii (Anna), Jeannie (Dominick), Robert (Steffany), Steven, Amy, Mallory (Nick) and Alexa (Chase); and 27 great grandchildren, Brynna, Chaylee, Ava, Charlotte, Madeleine, Jaeden, Ella, Jax, Charlotte, Danika, Gavin, Zachary, Bristol, Seana, London, Vail, Jackson, Landon, Isabelle, Graeson, Chase, Bella, Brendan, Eva, Annabella, Robert Jr., and Ryleigh. Fred also has many nieces and nephews who were very special in his life. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Cris Johnson and Michelle; his in-home caregiver, Lisa, and team; and the staff at St. Peter Hospital Emergency Room and the 3rd Floor Oncology staff for their professional and loving care in his final days. “You will remain in our hearts forever.” “Fish on.” “See you at the beach, Dad.” Please leave memories of Fred or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.