Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Obituary -- Fred Mares 1958-2018

Frederick L. Mares of Maryville, Missouri, passed away on December 20, 2018 at Village Care Center. Fred was born on October 15, 1958, in Denver, Colorado to Boniface (“Bonnie”) and Priscilla S. Mares. Fred attended Drake University on a tennis scholarship, graduating in 1980 with a degree in journalism. Fred loved the people of the Midwest and made it his home following college.

Fred was a long-time reporter for the Kansas City Star/Times, serving as Bureau Chief in St. Joseph. Fred and his fellow reporters won a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of the 1981 Hyatt Regency walkway collapse.

Fred came to Maryville to seek his master’s degree at Northwest Missouri State, wanting to become a teacher or professor. He often spoke publicly about his mental health challenges, which sidelined him from pursuing his degree. His beloved Hy-Vee brought him into their family where everyone knows Fred held court as a greeter-extraordinaire for many years, winning a Hy-Vee Legendary Customer Service award. Fred loved sharing his joy of music, singing and playing at churches, weddings and funerals throughout Nodaway County.

Fred is survived by his brothers Steve, Adolph and Don and many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles. He remained very close to his former wife and good friend Eulia Mares and loved his step-children Lisa and Jeff and their children and grandchildren, who he considered his own children grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services 1 PM Saturday, January 5, 2019 at the Church of the Nazarene under the care of Price Funeral Home. Interment Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville, Missouri. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

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