Fredric McGruder

PATTON, Mo. -- Fredric Alan McGruder, 68, of Patton passed away Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, at his home, after fighting a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and pseudobulbar affect (PBA).

He was born Nov. 14, 1949, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Wren and Verneal McGruder of Harviell, Missouri. Fred and Sherry Hill of Vanduser, Missouri, were united in marriage Aug. 21, 1993.

Fred worked most of his career with the Missouri State Tax Commission as an appraiser for the southeast and south central counties of Missouri. He was also a Realtor in Jackson and a loan officer for Farmers Home Administration.

He was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, remaining in contact with his fellow Marines throughout his life.

In addition, he was a Missouri Hunter Education instructor and National Rifle Association shooting coach. Fred was a passionate outdoors man and a true cowboy at heart who never met a stranger. He loved hunting, shooting for sport and pleasure and riding his horses.

Fred was well known in his community for his giving heart. He often put aside his work on the farm to help others and was a regular volunteer with the Bollinger County Stray Project in Zalma, Missouri.

Survivors include his wife, Sherry McGruder; three daughters, Suzanne Jaillet of St. Louis and Makayla and Ellie McGruder of Patton; two grandchildren, Wren and Cassiel Jaillet; and siblings, Leah Gilmore of Ruston, Louisiana, Charles Raymond McGruder of Franklin, Missouri, Joyce Christensen of Ely, Nevada, Dr. John McGruder of Cumming, Georgia, Dr. Jerry McGruder of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Robert McGruder of Harviell, Missouri, and James McGruder of West Chester, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wren and Verneal McGruder, and his siblings, Edward McGruder and Normal Atwell.

Visitation will be from 1 until 4 p.m. Saturday at Hutchings Funeral Home in Marble Hill, Missouri.

Funeral, with military honors, will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Bollinger County Stray Project, care of Marilyn Nevill in Zalma.