Frederick Lebrecht Johns

"Fred"

Clearwater, Florida/Palmyra: Died peacefully surrounded by his family on May 31, 2015 at the age of 86, after a brave fight against heart disease. Fred is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Rena; his brother Richard Johns of Bellefontaine, Ohio; his loving children David Johns of Traverse City, Michigan, William Johns of Miami, Florida, Karen (Johns) Brandon of Lexington, Michigan and their respective spouses; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Gomer and Marion Johns, and his brother, Charles Johns.

Fred Johns was born on December 14, 1928 in Palmyra, New York. He graduated from Palmyra Classical School in Palmyra, New York in 1947. He graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, and married his high school sweetheart Rena Shogren shortly thereafter in June of 1952. After moving to Niagara Falls, New York, Fred began working for Dupont Chemical Corporation as a chemical engineer and was later employed as a chemical sales representative in Delaware, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Michigan before retiring at age 55 and moving to Clearwater, Florida.

Fred was an accomplished outdoorsman and sailor, and in his later years he enjoyed traveling internationally and exploring new places with his wife Rena. Fred's children remember him as a strong but loving father who always encouraged them to value responsibility and integrity. He was a gregarious family man who loved story-telling, laughter, and family reunions. He was an active and dedicated member of the Greenbriar community in which he lived in Clearwater, Florida, and in the past extensively volunteered in youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America.

Friends may join the family for Fred's calling hours on Sunday (August 2) from 9:30-10:30 AM at Murphy Funeral & Cremation Chapels, 123 East Jackson St., Palmyra, NY 14522, where a memorial service will be held at 10:30.  Burial will be held in Palmyra Cemetery.  The family would like to thank the kind and dedicated caregivers at the University of Miami Hospital and the Baptist Hospital Critical Care Unit in Miami, Florida for their tireless efforts on Fred's behalf.  To leave the family a condolence, please visit www.murphyfuneralservices.com .