Frederick "Fred" Baty, age 97, departed this life on June 29th, 2023 at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 10th, 1926, where he lived until he moved to Germantown in 1996. He graduated from Memphis Technical High School in 1944 and shortly after his eighteenth birthday he enlisted in the US Army.
Fred was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division and in December of that year shipped out to the South Pacific Theater. He was part of the force that invaded Okinawa on April 1st, 1945. Within his unit he held the position of Marksman and as such was charged with neutralizing enemy snipers. He was wounded in combat, having been hit by shrapnel from enemy mortar fire during intense fighting with the Imperial Army of Japan. From Okinawa, he was transferred to South Korea where he spent the remainder of his tour of duty as part of the occupation force. It was during his time there that Fred developed a genuine appreciation for the Korean people and their culture.
He was discharged from the Army as a Sergeant with a Combat Infantry Medal and a Purple Heart among other honors. Like so many, Fred had left home a boy and returned a man. With World War II and the Army behind him, he began living his version of the classic American Dream of the post war 1940's and the 1950's. His first employment was in agricultural sales, which involved extensive travel throughout the South. This gave rise to a romantic love of rural towns that would last his entire life.
In 1948 he married Dina "Dena" Maria Andreoni and they had three children. While vices and off-color language were never part of his character, automobiles, haberdashery, and food very much were. His quest for the perfect tamale was a life-long pursuit. His love of an early morning cup of hot tea and his wife's homemade biscuits with sorghum molasses never ended.
While he left much of the heavy lifting of parenting to his wife, he was always there when needed. Keeping his word and being honorable, as well as being home every night were standards of behavior that were never violated. Any spousal short comings he might have had were mitigated by his seventy-five years of complete devotion to his wife. His children could not have had a better role model for that quality.
For years Fred was a season ticket holder for University of Tennessee football. He especially enjoyed trips to East Tennessee in the fall to watch the Vols play. In later years after the drive was too much, he would have his grandsons over to watch the Vols on TV. He was very consistent. Game day snacks always included egg and olive and pimento cheese finger sandwiches as well as all the Coca Cola you could drink. He never quit liking this "Wiles-Smith" fare.
There were a few career changes over the years but sales was a constant in all of them. Fred loved to discuss the nuances of sales that many failed to realize. In the end, keeping one's word was nonnegotiable. Creating lasting relationships was paramount.
He leaves behind his adored wife of seventy-five years, Dena Baty, as well as their three children: Fred Baty (Jaymi), Karen Rice (Fred-deceased), and Michael Baty (Janet); seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Frederick Baty will be remembered for much, but for those who knew him best, he will be remembered for the quality of being his own person. He really danced to the beat of his own drum, for ninety-seven incredible years.
Fred will be laid to rest on Wednesday, July 12, at 1:00 at West Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery.
"Old soldiers never die. They simply fade away."
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frederick Baty please visit our Sympathy Store.
CLICK HERE FOR MEMORIALS OF OTHER 1944 CLASS MEMBERS.
Fred was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division and in December of that year shipped out to the South Pacific Theater. He was part of the force that invaded Okinawa on April 1st, 1945. Within his unit he held the position of Marksman and as such was charged with neutralizing enemy snipers. He was wounded in combat, having been hit by shrapnel from enemy mortar fire during intense fighting with the Imperial Army of Japan. From Okinawa, he was transferred to South Korea where he spent the remainder of his tour of duty as part of the occupation force. It was during his time there that Fred developed a genuine appreciation for the Korean people and their culture.
He was discharged from the Army as a Sergeant with a Combat Infantry Medal and a Purple Heart among other honors. Like so many, Fred had left home a boy and returned a man. With World War II and the Army behind him, he began living his version of the classic American Dream of the post war 1940's and the 1950's. His first employment was in agricultural sales, which involved extensive travel throughout the South. This gave rise to a romantic love of rural towns that would last his entire life.
In 1948 he married Dina "Dena" Maria Andreoni and they had three children. While vices and off-color language were never part of his character, automobiles, haberdashery, and food very much were. His quest for the perfect tamale was a life-long pursuit. His love of an early morning cup of hot tea and his wife's homemade biscuits with sorghum molasses never ended.
While he left much of the heavy lifting of parenting to his wife, he was always there when needed. Keeping his word and being honorable, as well as being home every night were standards of behavior that were never violated. Any spousal short comings he might have had were mitigated by his seventy-five years of complete devotion to his wife. His children could not have had a better role model for that quality.
For years Fred was a season ticket holder for University of Tennessee football. He especially enjoyed trips to East Tennessee in the fall to watch the Vols play. In later years after the drive was too much, he would have his grandsons over to watch the Vols on TV. He was very consistent. Game day snacks always included egg and olive and pimento cheese finger sandwiches as well as all the Coca Cola you could drink. He never quit liking this "Wiles-Smith" fare.
There were a few career changes over the years but sales was a constant in all of them. Fred loved to discuss the nuances of sales that many failed to realize. In the end, keeping one's word was nonnegotiable. Creating lasting relationships was paramount.
He leaves behind his adored wife of seventy-five years, Dena Baty, as well as their three children: Fred Baty (Jaymi), Karen Rice (Fred-deceased), and Michael Baty (Janet); seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Frederick Baty will be remembered for much, but for those who knew him best, he will be remembered for the quality of being his own person. He really danced to the beat of his own drum, for ninety-seven incredible years.
Fred will be laid to rest on Wednesday, July 12, at 1:00 at West Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery.
"Old soldiers never die. They simply fade away."
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frederick Baty please visit our Sympathy Store.
CLICK HERE FOR MEMORIALS OF OTHER 1944 CLASS MEMBERS.
Frederick "Fred" Baty, age 97, departed this life on June 29th, 2023 at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 10th, 1926, where he lived until he moved to Germantown in 1996. He graduated from Memphis Technical High School in 1944 and shortly after his eighteenth birthday he enlisted in the US Army.
Fred was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division and in December of that year shipped out to the South Pacific Theater. He was part of the force that invaded Okinawa on April 1st, 1945. Within his unit he held the position of Marksman and as such was charged with neutralizing enemy snipers. He was wounded in combat, having been hit by shrapnel from enemy mortar fire during intense fighting with the Imperial Army of Japan. From Okinawa, he was transferred to South Korea where he spent the remainder of his tour of duty as part of the occupation force. It was during his time there that Fred developed a genuine appreciation for the Korean people and their culture.
He was discharged from the Army as a Sergeant with a Combat Infantry Medal and a Purple Heart among other honors. Like so many, Fred had left home a boy and returned a man. With World War II and the Army behind him, he began living his version of the classic American Dream of the post war 1940's and the 1950's. His first employment was in agricultural sales, which involved extensive travel throughout the South. This gave rise to a romantic love of rural towns that would last his entire life.
In 1948 he married Dina "Dena" Maria Andreoni and they had three children. While vices and off-color language were never part of his character, automobiles, haberdashery, and food very much were. His quest for the perfect tamale was a life-long pursuit. His love of an early morning cup of hot tea and his wife's homemade biscuits with sorghum molasses never ended.
While he left much of the heavy lifting of parenting to his wife, he was always there when needed. Keeping his word and being honorable, as well as being home every night were standards of behavior that were never violated. Any spousal short comings he might have had were mitigated by his seventy-five years of complete devotion to his wife. His children could not have had a better role model for that quality.
For years Fred was a season ticket holder for University of Tennessee football. He especially enjoyed trips to East Tennessee in the fall to watch the Vols play. In later years after the drive was too much, he would have his grandsons over to watch the Vols on TV. He was very consistent. Game day snacks always included egg and olive and pimento cheese finger sandwiches as well as all the Coca Cola you could drink. He never quit liking this "Wiles-Smith" fare.
There were a few career changes over the years but sales was a constant in all of them. Fred loved to discuss the nuances of sales that many failed to realize. In the end, keeping one's word was nonnegotiable. Creating lasting relationships was paramount.
He leaves behind his adored wife of seventy-five years, Dena Baty, as well as their three children: Fred Baty (Jaymi), Karen Rice (Fred-deceased), and Michael Baty (Janet); seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Frederick Baty will be remembered for much, but for those who knew him best, he will be remembered for the quality of being his own person. He really danced to the beat of his own drum, for ninety-seven incredible years.
Fred will be laid to rest on Wednesday, July 12, at 1:00 at West Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery.
"Old soldiers never die. They simply fade away."
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frederick Baty please visit our Sympathy Store.
CLICK HERE FOR MEMORIALS OF OTHER 1944 CLASS MEMBERS.
Fred was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division and in December of that year shipped out to the South Pacific Theater. He was part of the force that invaded Okinawa on April 1st, 1945. Within his unit he held the position of Marksman and as such was charged with neutralizing enemy snipers. He was wounded in combat, having been hit by shrapnel from enemy mortar fire during intense fighting with the Imperial Army of Japan. From Okinawa, he was transferred to South Korea where he spent the remainder of his tour of duty as part of the occupation force. It was during his time there that Fred developed a genuine appreciation for the Korean people and their culture.
He was discharged from the Army as a Sergeant with a Combat Infantry Medal and a Purple Heart among other honors. Like so many, Fred had left home a boy and returned a man. With World War II and the Army behind him, he began living his version of the classic American Dream of the post war 1940's and the 1950's. His first employment was in agricultural sales, which involved extensive travel throughout the South. This gave rise to a romantic love of rural towns that would last his entire life.
In 1948 he married Dina "Dena" Maria Andreoni and they had three children. While vices and off-color language were never part of his character, automobiles, haberdashery, and food very much were. His quest for the perfect tamale was a life-long pursuit. His love of an early morning cup of hot tea and his wife's homemade biscuits with sorghum molasses never ended.
While he left much of the heavy lifting of parenting to his wife, he was always there when needed. Keeping his word and being honorable, as well as being home every night were standards of behavior that were never violated. Any spousal short comings he might have had were mitigated by his seventy-five years of complete devotion to his wife. His children could not have had a better role model for that quality.
For years Fred was a season ticket holder for University of Tennessee football. He especially enjoyed trips to East Tennessee in the fall to watch the Vols play. In later years after the drive was too much, he would have his grandsons over to watch the Vols on TV. He was very consistent. Game day snacks always included egg and olive and pimento cheese finger sandwiches as well as all the Coca Cola you could drink. He never quit liking this "Wiles-Smith" fare.
There were a few career changes over the years but sales was a constant in all of them. Fred loved to discuss the nuances of sales that many failed to realize. In the end, keeping one's word was nonnegotiable. Creating lasting relationships was paramount.
He leaves behind his adored wife of seventy-five years, Dena Baty, as well as their three children: Fred Baty (Jaymi), Karen Rice (Fred-deceased), and Michael Baty (Janet); seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Frederick Baty will be remembered for much, but for those who knew him best, he will be remembered for the quality of being his own person. He really danced to the beat of his own drum, for ninety-seven incredible years.
Fred will be laid to rest on Wednesday, July 12, at 1:00 at West Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery.
"Old soldiers never die. They simply fade away."
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frederick Baty please visit our Sympathy Store.
CLICK HERE FOR MEMORIALS OF OTHER 1944 CLASS MEMBERS.
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