ARLINGTON - Separated only 18 days between this life and the next from Nita, his beloved wife of 57 years, Fred P. Force went to be with her and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 14, 2021.

Fred was born in El Paso, Texas on Aug. 17, 1932, to Phillip Howell Force, Jr., and Dorothy Mae (Paxton) Force. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in El Paso before going on to receive his BA in Religion and History from Baylor University, Waco, Texas in 1955. He returned to El Paso and received his MA at Texas Western College in 1956. Fred was ordained in 1955, in a ceremony at First Baptist Church of El Paso, where he was a beloved member.

Fred was the minister of First Baptist Church of Hebron in Carrollton, Texas for a few years before he took a position at Southwestern Life in Dallas, where he worked for 26 years. He met the love of his life, Anita "Nita" Jean Armstrong, and they were married on July 31, 1964. Fred spent several years at Transport Life Insurance prior to his retirement. Fred was always a minister in his heart and in deed, and he "married and buried" many family members, friends and members of his church family over the years. He was a highly respected teacher of Adult Bible Study classes at First Baptist Church of Arlington, where he and Nita were members for many years. Fred cherished and was devoted to God, his wife, his daughters, his granddaughter and both his natural family and his "inherited" family on his wife's side.

Fred was a man of many talents and interests. He was an avid reader of books on a wide variety of subjects. He was a skilled painter and enjoyed making model airplanes and collecting train sets and building stations and landscapes. Fred was an avid gardener and enjoyed putting color everywhere, especially where Nita could enjoy it from her favorite chair. Fred was particularly gifted in wood-working, and he made elaborate pieces of beautiful custom furniture, including some wonderful pieces in which Nita stored her prized crystal collectibles.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Dorothy Force; brother, Donald Force; and most recently his wife of 57 years, Nita Force - only 18 days prior to his own death. It didn't surprise those who knew him best that he followed her so soon. This life would have been very painful for him without her.

Fred is survived by his daughter, Leah Force of Waco, Texas; stepdaughter, Cathy Chamberlain (Mark) of Sallisaw, Okla.; brother, David Force (Phyllis) of El Paso, Texas; granddaughter, Lisa Minnear (Bryan) of Astoria, re.; sister-in-law, Linda Tyson of Weatherford, Texas; and nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews too numerous to count.

Click here for Fred's tombstone.

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