Fred Dean Metcalf Born in Olympia, 3/3/1930 – Died at home, in Olympia, 7/24/2012

Fred, the son of Conde and Dolly Metcalf, attended Garfield Grade School and Olympia High, graduating in 1949. Fred earned his Eagle Scout badge when he was fifteen. After high school he went to Caffey College, Ontario, CA, receiving his Associate Degree in Business. He also served in the National Guard. Fred started playing drums in 5th grade, and continued throughout school. On his 16th Birthday, his mom gave him a membership to the Musicians Union and his dance band career was launched. Since then, Fred has played in 34 different bands and is a life member of Local 124. The last time he played was on July 15, 2012, just nine days before his death. Over the years, dancers and musicians, have been his closest friends and his support community. When Fred lived in CA he longed for the green of Washington State and declared he would live in Olympia for the rest of his life. In 1954 he started working at the Olympia Brewery. In 1955, Fred purchased property on Black Lake. The same piece of ground has been home ever since to Fred and his wife, the former Barbara Edge, whom he married in February of 1957. 1959 Fred was promoted to the brewery’s public relations department as a tour guide. He liked giving tours, so stayed until he retired in 1995. At that point his focus was on enjoying life at home, being with his family and playing drums for dancers. He added a few trips, lots of salmon fishing and almost daily baseball – he was a die-hard Mariner’s fan through thick and thin. Fred and Barbara have three daughters, Karen (Sluss), Shelley (Alexander), and Laura (Perkins). Laura preceded Fred in death in 2008. He is also survived by four grand children: Paul and Ryan Sluss, Ashley Peck, and Brandon Perkins; one great-grand daughter, Aubrianna Perkins; his sister, Betty Hall, of Olympia and his aunt Helen Lloyd, Texas

There will be a celebration of Fred’s life at Black Lake Grange Friday August 10, 2012 from 3 PM to 5 PM. Fred asked us to include music and fun! – so Bring your dancing shoes.

Donations can be made in Fred’s name to the Boy Scouts of America or Hospice, at: Providence Hospice of Seattle, 425 Pontius Ave. N., Suite 300, Seattle, WA. 98109