Fred “Freddy” Huey Dave, 74, died on January 16, 2013 in a hospice facility in Florida.
He was the eldest child born to Mary Ruth and Fred Dave on Jan. 8, 1939, in Chattanooga. Fred was educated in the Chattanooga Public School System. He graduated from Howard High School after returning home from his call of duty in the United States Army.
While in the Army, Private Dave was assigned special missions. Those missions were to travel stateside and abroad singing and entertaining the troops.
Fred loved to sing and perform. He grew up singing in the Prospect Baptist Church choir. He was known for his smooth vocal and falsetto voice. As a child, he was hired by radio station, WMSF to star in his own show where he sang over the airwaves.
Later, Fred moved to California where he resided over 40 years. He was the owner and operator of Fred’s Painting Service. He also hosted a popular show at Jax’s Restaurant called “Open Mic Night with Fred Dave and Friends,” which continues in his honor. Fred was a faithful member of Montrose Community Church where he sang in the choir. He continued to sing and entertain until his health failed.
Fred is survived by three loving children, two sons, Edward Dave of Ft. Lauderdale, and Glen (Lisa) Dave of Homestead, Fl.; one daughter, Minster Vickie (Michael) McGoy, of Chattanooga; mother, Mary Ruth Hester of Chattanooga; stepmother, Irene Dave of Chattanooga; brother, Sammy (Jenny) Dave of Mooresville, N.C.; sisters, Iris Faye Careathers of Chattanooga, Glenda (Norris) Morris of Nashville, and Della Barney of Jacksonville, Fl.; aunt, Glenda Wilson of Chattanooga; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, Jan. 25, at Prospect Baptist Church with Reverend Jay Tremble officiating. Interment will be in National Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Thursday, and the family will receive friends from 6–7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.