Fred Dale Corby

Fred Dale Corby of Arvada, Colorado died January 22, 2015 at 7:06 p.m. in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, at Collier Hospice Center, with his family by his side. He was born the fourth of five children to Arthur and Gertrude Corby, November 11, 1925 in St. John, Kansas. He grew up as a farm boy on his family’s 350 acre homestead ranch in Belpre, Kansas. When Fred was 19 years old, he enlisted in the United States Air Force on January 25, 1944. He served at the end of WWII in the 5th Bomb Group 13th Air Force and served his country in the Western Pacific & China. Fred was decorated with The American Theater of Operations Service Medal, The Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, The Philippine Liberation Service Medal, The Good Conduct Medal AR-600-68, The WWII Victory Medal and The American Campaign Medal. Fred returned to the states in early 1947, and was offered a job at his Uncle Mack McGuire’s welding and engineering company making Colorado his home. He attended church at Garden Home Reform Church in Denver and this is where he met the love of his life, Beverly Anne Enderich. After courting through the spring of 1947, they were engaged in June of that same year. They rode a tandem bicycle down to Kortz-Lee Jewelers on Broadway to buy their rings and they were married on January 25, 1948 at the same church where they met. Fred and Beverly started a family soon after they were married. Fred became a proud father of four daughters from 1948 to 1962; naming them Patricia, Carol, Sandra and Kathleen. Over the course of his life, Fred held many jobs always providing for his large family and making it his first priority. He worked for Mack’s Welding & Engineering, Gates Rubber Company, Continental Baking Company, Wood Brothers Homes, Ryland Homes and Home Warranty Management, his own business from which he retired in 1992. Fred and Beverly made Arvada their home in 1967 and continued to live in the same house they’d built that year to present day. In his younger days, Fred enjoyed going square dancing, league bowling, and playing cards with friends, waterskiing at Empire Lake with friends and family and watching his own family grow! He traveled to several states and saw many changes over the course of his 89 years. He lived through the great depression, and at 9 years old almost lost his life to pneumonia. He played high school basketball, football and track and field and graduated as valedictorian of his class. Fred served his country and was so proud when he spoke of it and loved telling his family stories of his time in the service. He was a wonderful husband, proud father and grandfather and was so happy to know that he would become a great grandfather this coming August! He was loved and admired by all who met him! His sense of humor and his laughter will be missed. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Beverly Anne Corby, Arvada CO; daughters; Patricia Wilson, husband Robert Wilson, Arvada CO; Sandra Parker, Ft. Morgan CO; Kathleen Vendegna, husband Rick Vendegna, Arvada CO. Grandchildren; Troy Wilson, Arvada CO; Chad Wilson, Denver CO; Jason Parker, Greeley CO; Joshua Johnson, Carmel, IN; Taylor Webb, Peyton Webb, Brody Webb, Arvada CO. Nieces: Cecilia Shinkle, Haysville KS; Pam Tapia, Glendale AZ. He is preceded in death by his daughter Carol Lynn Corby-Johnson, Highlands Ranch CO; parents Arthur and Gertrude Corby, Belpre KS; brothers: Floyd Corby, Heavner OK; Cecil Corby, Smith Center KS; Melvin Corby, Muskogee OK; sister: Leila Corby-Lebsack, Cheyenne WY; Nephew: Robert “Bobby” Corby, Wichita KS. Viewing and Service will be held at Crossroads Church located at 9901 W. 50th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO beginning at 9:00a.m., Service at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2015. Interment at Ft. Logan National Cemetery promptly at 1:00 p.m. following the service. Officiant: Pastor David Van Deren Pallbearers: Troy Wilson, Chad Wilson, Jason Parker, Joshua Johnson, Brody Webb and Bob Wilson Honorary Pallbearers: Rick Vendegna Arrangements made by Malesich & Shirey Funeral Home.