Fred Furrow III, 68, of Valley Station, passed on, surrounded by his loving family, at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital on Friday, January 16, 2015.

Fred - “Butch” to his family and friends - was born June 4, 1946 in Louisville. After graduating from duPont Manual High School in 1965, he attended Western Kentucky University. Fred enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and proudly served his country in Vietnam, achieving the rank of SP5 and earning the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle) before receiving his Honorable Discharge on May 1, 1973. He worked at South Central Bell for 31 years, and after retiring, went to work as a photographer for the Southwest Newsweek, AP and Reuters, and in Protective Services at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Fred was a proud Kentucky Colonel and served as a deacon at South Jefferson Christian Church. He was a lifelong Louisville resident, and also lived in Connecticut for six years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Furrow Jr. and Mamie Marie Hestand. Though his passing was due to complications from a long battle with Agent Orange Syndrome, he remained a proud veteran.

Fred is survived by his wife, Carol Shearer Furrow; daughters Anna-Marie Carr (David) and Kathryn Rae Zeigler (Todd) of Louisville; granddaughters Emma, Mimi and Liza (on the way); lifelong best friend Charles Philip Goode of Louisville; cousin Norma Hawkins of Louisville; cousin Bernadine McNeely of Memphis, TN; and his beloved dogs, Callie and Ringo.

A celebration of Fred’s life will be held January 31, 2015 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 10304 Dixie Highway. Visitation hours are 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; with a service to follow at 4:00 p.m. In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated.

Donations and expressions of sympathy can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Vietnam Veterans of America.