Fred Gedney

Visitation: Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral services: Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at 11:00 am at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: will follow in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery with full military rites provided by VFW Post #1579

Frederick B. Gedney Jr., age 84, of Miles City passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at his home in Miles City.

Fred was born in Port Chester, New York on May 3, 1921, the son of Frederick B. and Mabel A. (Gerlach) Gedney. He attended schools in Port Chester, New York and Greenwich, Connecticut. He graduated from Greenwich High School in 1940. Fred joined the Connecticut National Guard in 1939 and served in the 192nd Field Artillery, 43rd Division. 6 years Armed Services, 3 1/2 years in South Pacific Campaign during WWII and 2 1/2 years in the Military Police in Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. He was Honorably Discharged in October 1945. Fred married Ella Yothers in April 1945 at Ft Devens. Upon his discharge they lived in Port Chester, New York until the summer of 1946 when they moved to Miles City. He worked for JC Penney, Montgomery Ward, Milwaukee Railroad and Smith's Bootery. Fred joined the staff of the Miles City Star in 1954 as an advertising salesman. He was Advertising Manager for 30 years, then semi-retired and serve as Advertising Consultant part time for the paper. Fred married Alice Simpson on January 3, 1976 in Miles City where they were both active in B.P.O. Elks and Drove of Does. Alice passed away on March 17, 2000. They had twenty four wonderful years together.

He was active in Boy Scouts from age 12 to present, Scout Master Troop 45 for 14 years, District Commissioner-Shortgrass District for 10 years, President of District 7 years. Holder of the Scoutmasters key, Advancement Key and Silver Beaver Award given by Yellowstone Valley Council & Vigil Honor in this Order of the Arrow. He was active in the Parent Teacher's Association (Past President Garfield School PT A), Association of Retired Persons (Past President Custer County AARP). Miles City Barn Players (Past President). Life Member of Miles City Lions Club (Past President, Zone Chairman, Past Deputy District Governor, Past District Governor, Secretary Treasurer of club for 8 years). Joined the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #537 in 1952. Served in all Lodge chairs and elected Exalted Ruler 1973-74 and again in 1975-76. Worked on numerous State committees and elected Second Vice President of the Montana State Elks Association in Butte in 1979. Elected First Vice President in Bozeman in 1980 and President in Billings in 1981. Installed in Las Vegas as Deputy District Grand Exalted Ruler, Montana East in 1996. Life Member of B.P.O.E. 537. He was Past President of the Miles City Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Sunday Night Bowling League for 3 years, Past President of the Tuesday Night Dart League, and the Miles City Jr. Chamber D.S.C. Award and was awarded the Harvey Worlie Award for Community Service.

Fred is survived by a daughter, Vicki Wright and her husband Wayne of California, three sons: Douglas Gedney and his wife Barbara of Washington, Stuart Gedney and his wife Jayna of Washington and Gregory Gedney of Miles City, a step daughter, Marie Foos and her husband Harold of Colorado, six grandchildren, six step grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Alice, a daughter at birth, Terry Lee, and a sister Margaret.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery with full military rites provided by VFW Post #1579. Condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com.