Wednesday, April 18, 2012
100-year-old adventurer inspired, delighted and comforted people wherever he went.
United Methoidist minister Wesley Stephens looked out from the pulpit at First Methodist at those sitting in the pews. People were packed in toward the front but sparsely seated in the back. "If this has been 20 years ago, there wouldn't have been a seat," said Stephens. "But when you live to be 100, well," you don't have a lot of contemporaries. But Fred Birchmore had a large family and a host of friends who loved and enjoyed him, as was evident at his funeral on Wednesday. The speakers included his son Danny Birchmore, grandson Fred C. Birchmore, fellow Kiwanian Larry Dendy and ministers Stephens and Bevel Jones. Larry Dendy gave a lovely, hilarious talk about Mr. Birchmore that captured the man in the community. Here're his remarks: …
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Cyclist, world traveler, Boy Scout leader, Kiwanian, Methodist, amazing person.
On Sunday morning, Athens Centenarian, Kiwanian and world traveler Fred Birchmore died. An Athens native, he was a fixture at the Athens YMCA after he retired from real estate in 1973, working out almost every day almost until his death. A native of Athens, Mr. Birchmore had both an undergraduate, a master’s and a law degree from UGA. He leaves behind his wife of 72 years, Willa Deane, and their four children, Fred, Jr., Belinda, Becky and Danny. “He was in great physical condition his whole life, and was really addicted to exercise and working out,” said fellow Kiwanian Larry Dendy. "He once said the reason he did all of these things was that he had to burn off his energy." There are many tales of his physical prowess. When he was in …
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday comes but once a week.
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Friday, March 16, 2012
Good morning. It's gonna be warm today, but maybe stormy, too. If the weather cooperates on Saturday morning, and you like good plants and are hostile to bad ones, you're in for a treat. Fred Birchmore, a well-known Athenian who turned 100 years old last November, will be at Memorial Park to give a "pep talk" to the Weed Warriors, the volunteer group that removes privet, ivy and other invasive plants from the Birchmore Trail in Memorial Park. Birchmore, an 80-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Athens, will speak briefly at 9:30 a.m. For more information, get in touch with Larry Dendy: ldendy@uga.edu, 706-546-0431. As for this morning, it's your last chance to help determine which spot in Athens is the best place to celebrate St. Patrick's …
Sarah Ambrose
8:02 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Nancy, thank you for posting the video. I moved away from Athens several years ago but grew up seeing Fred almost every Wednesday at church dinners. Hearing his voice again, and the funny spin he puts on things, was wonderful. Fred and Miss Willa Deane have inspired me for years. I am lucky to have known Fred and will cherish forever the copy of his book he signed to me with, "to my good young … more ›