Fred C. Lavender Jr.

Fred C. Lavender, Jr., 91, of Ashland, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at The Inn at Ashland Woods on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Fred was born on October 11,1934 to Fred and Grace Lavender, and was raised in Ironton, Ohio. A lifelong Catholic, he attended St. Joseph High School, where he was class president, student council president, and was first team all-conference in football, basketball and baseball. Fred graduated valedictorian of his class in 1952 and attended the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering.

After college, Fred joined the United States Marine Corps, ultimately qualifying as an all-weather fighter pilot. While in the Marines, he won the National Air to Air Gunnery Contest vs Top Navy and Air Force squadrons. While on assignment in Memphis, Tennessee, he met his future wife, Frances Parish. On December 28, 1959, he and Fran were married in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Together they raised 5 children and were married for 57 years at the time of her passing in 2016.

Following military service, Fred returned to his hometown of Ironton, Ohio to work for Dayton Malleable Iron Company, eventually becoming General Manager at their Columbus, Ohio plant. He then served as a consultant for Eaton Corporation, a major DMI customer, for foundries in England, France, and Mexico. In 1977, Fred moved to Ashland, Ohio to run F.E. Myers’ new foundry, eventually becoming the CEO of Myers. When Pentair Corporation purchased Myers, he served as President of Pentair Pump Group (Aurora, F.E. Myers, Hydromatic Pumps and Fairbanks Morse) before retiring.

Fred believed wholeheartedly in giving back. He served his community as a little league football and basketball coach, as a board member of St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church and YMCA Endowment and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Samaritan Hospital, Ashland Symphony Orchestra and The Ashbrook Center at Ashland University.

Fred will be remembered for his love of sports, his commitment to others, his sense of humor, his optimistic nature and his unwavering love of his family and his many lifelong friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Fran. He is survived by his children: Kathleen (Tom) Metcalf of Ashland, Sharon Lavender of Ashland, Carol-Ann (Gary) Cline of Perrysville, Dan (Michele) Lavender of Naples, Florida and Tracy (Bill) Hohman of New Albany, OH. He is also survived by grandchildren Kyle (Stephanie), Aysha, Tyler, Tanner (Casey), Phillip, Kevin (Caitlyn), Alisha, Emily, Craig, Sarah, Meghan and Rachel and great-grandchildren Landon, Braylen, Keegan, Falyn, Camdin, Asher, Amelia, Annie, Crue, Silas and Cade.

Calling hours will be held at Fickes Funeral Home (84 N High, Jeromesville, OH) on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 10am at St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church (1630 Ashland Road, Mansfield, OH) with interment to follow at Ashland Memorial Park (1058 US-250 North, Ashland, OH).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Fred’s honor to St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church (1630 Ashland Rd, Mansfield, OH).

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