Earl Frederick 'Fred' Gaede, 89, of Odessa, Texas passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007, at Medical Center Hospital.

He was born July 5, 1918 in Olney, Illinois to Elmer and Elsie Gaede. He was the Regional Manager for National Supply Corp where he established many long lasting friendships over 35 years. He served in the Army Air Corp from 1940-1945. He was a member of 504th Bomb Group on the B-29 Super Fortress stationed Tinian Island. He had flown 35 combat missions over Japan including the final mission with the show of power of 1,000 planes that flew over U.S.S. Missouri during the signing of the peace treaty.

His first love was his family and then second his church. He loved to fish and was active in all facets of Asbury United Methodist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Frances Hamilton Gaede, siblings, Lois Farthing, Mildred Struble, Robert Gaede and son-in-law Norman Neitzel.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn Gaede, son, Tom and wife Karen Gaede of Houston, daughter, Linda Jatko and husband Roger of Denver, Colorado, two grandchildren, Kari Smith and husband Dustin and Kent Neitzel, two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Isabella Smith and step-sons, David, Stephen and Mark Stell, Services are set for Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church with Reverend David Weyant officiating. Burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Published in Odessa American, The (TX) - Saturday, November 24, 2007