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In memory of
Fred Etcheberry
June 21, 1933 - November 17, 2020
Jun 21, 1933 - Nov 17, 2020
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Fred's obituary
Fred attended parochial schools and graduated from St. Mary’s High School where he excelled in baseball shortstop/2nd base and football as the Quarterback. After graduating in 1952, he enrolled in Stockton College but shortly thereafter was drafted in 1953 and served two years in Korea.
On returning home he worked five years for Pacific Bell before beginning a 40-year career in the wholesale grocery business. Fred enjoyed his route since it took him around the central valley where he started many lifelong friendships.
He had a strong connection to his cultural heritage, regularly attending gatherings with Basque families from across the state. It was at one such picnic in 1955 where Fred met Anna, starting a friendship that would result in 64 happy years of marriage and together they continued to speak their first language-Basque! They went on to have two children, Jana Louise and Joan Marie. Jana Louise passed away from leukemia at the age of 4 in 1962.
Anna always had an interest in the Bible, so she was thrilled when her best friend Jeanne started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Anna told her friend to ask her Bible teacher if she could teach her the Bible also. She was baptized in 1961 and though Fred didn’t initially join Anna, he supported her dedication and allowed her to teach their daughter Bible truths even attending some conventions with them. He would also generously open their home to host Witnesses traveling in the area to visit the congregation or attend a convention.
There are many fond memories of living for 52 years on Stockton Street. Fred taught Joan Marie how to play baseball and enjoyed good times playing catch. He also taught her his quarterback skills which helped her become the preferred quarterback for neighborhood pick-up games in the street. Fred continued to play baseball with local City League teams. As he got older, he played fast pitch softball. Fred was very sharp on sports statistics and history. We relied on him to tell us who to root for during the World Series and Super Bowl. He always had local connections as reasons why we would root for that team.
In 1972 Fred and his family took their first trip to the Basque country to meet relatives that still live in the homes where their parents were born.
One day in 1978 while at the barber, who was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Fred lamented about the sorry state of politics. His barber Jim told him that ‘the Bible had a lot to say about good government and you ought to look into it’. Fred replied, ‘maybe I should’. Two years later after studying the Bible he was baptized as a witness of Jehovah.
Fred was quickly used in the congregation as a Ministerial Servant and then as an Elder, a privilege he cherished for the past 35 years. His kind nature, sense of humor and humility allowed him to reach the hearts of many people as he helped them get to know his loving Heavenly Father.
After his retirement, he and Anna decided to further volunteer their time as pioneers, full-time ministers of Jehovah. As an inseparable team they spent the last 20 years teaching Bible truths to many people. They also enjoyed golfing with friends.
Fred became a Father-in-Law to Robert Provencio in 1980 and a Grandfather (Papa) to Janae Catherine Marie Provencio a few years later. Papa and Janae enjoyed a very close relationship often referring to each other affectionately as “Twirp”. He also enjoyed teasing her since she always fell for his silly jokes and humor. Fred gained a Grandson-in-law when Janae married Jeff Brown.
In 2014, more than 40 years after their first trip, they returned to the Basque Country and fulfilled a long-time dream of witnessing in their native language. They introduced their relatives to JW.org available in the Basque language.
People always felt comfortable with Fred and he enjoyed many long and lasting friendships. He was quick with a witty reply but not easily upset and could always be counted on for a good-natured response. He was well liked and respected.
Fred is survived by his wife Anna, daughter Joan Etcheberry Provencio (Robert), granddaughter Janae Provencio Brown (Jeff) and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
During this time of brief loss, we are comforted by the same strong hope Fred had, that very soon Jehovah will do away with all sickness and pain, restoring him to life on a Paradise Earth where we can see Fred again.
Donations can be made to donate.jw.org or www.hospicesj.org
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Created with love by
Janeff Brown (Fred's family).
