Frederick Charles Opdycke

Frederick Charles Opdycke was born October 1, 1952 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey to Ruth (Snyder) and Frederick Simian Opdycke. Fred was his mother’s second child. She had an older son, George Snyder, who was 10 years older than Fred. Fred’s father passed away when Fred was young. He was raised by his mother and he spent his entire youth and first part of his adulthood in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. He graduated from Warren County Technical-Vocational High School and enlisted in the Navy-Seabees during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Guam and assisted in doing construction and building airstrips. During his time in the service, he married Ethel Bush and they had one son, Martin, in 1976. After serving his country, Fred worked for Ingersoll-Rand in New Jersey for twenty-six years until his retirement. Fred made a life decision in 1998 and ended his marriage and left New Jersey for the West Coast. He ended up in Jerome, Idaho and met his new best friend, Lynn. They fell in love and made a leap of faith and married each other in 2001. Fred and Lynn loved each other and were each other’s best friend. They finished raising Lynn’s children and then helped raise their grandchildren. They had many adventures and Lynn challenged him to try new things like spicy food and traveling. Together they traveled to many states including a month long trip to the East Coast where he was able to see his son and his other family members and share his previous life with his best friend and three of his loved grandchildren. There were many more travels planned but these were cut short due to Covid. Fred had the extreme joy to find out about his ethnicity through doing a DNA test and took great pride in being Irish and Scottish. He always thought he was a leprechaun at heart. He loved discovering family he never knew and connecting with family and friends on Facebook. He loved the Raiders (even when they were losing) and the Boise Broncos. He loved good food and a nice cold beer. He was a talented woodworker and made many pieces of furniture in his home. In September of 2021, Fred was diagnosed with Covid. He fought hard and we all thought he was recovering from this insidious virus. On November 29, 2021, Fred’s body gave out at home and he was transported to St. Luke’s where his family had the privilege and honor to say their good-byes to this wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Fred was surrounded by love when he left this physical earth and I know he knew he was greatly loved by all that knew him. Fred is survived by so many people who knew what a funny, grumpy, santa look alike, kind, loving man he was. He is survived by his wife and best friend who will miss his laugh, love and smile more than she can say, Lynn. His son, Martin and his step-children, Abby Stocking (Matt Lehman), Cassandra Pagan and Don Pagan. Fred had a number of grandchildren who loved him immensely and they will miss his funny, silly jokes and his undying support of them. They are Shane Brunett, Tucker Stocking, Cody Gereau, Michelle Stocking (Andrew Casey), Annabelle Gereau (Tyler Perron), Savannah Kutz, Beau Gereau, Madison Lehman and Shakila. He also proudly had two great-grandchildren, Jaxyn Brunett and Aria Casey. He is also survived by his nephews George Snyder (Susan), Louie Snyder (Terri) and his niece, Lynne Kline. His in-laws, Steve and Ethel Kame and Cross and Connie Carl and his brother in laws Bill Couch (Karen), Don Couch, Steve Kame (Ashley), Chris Carl (Kim), Charles Carl, Mike Carl, Cross Carl and his sister in laws, Tina Butler (Howard) and Corina Braun (Jimmy) will miss him greatly. He is also survived by too many to count Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins-just know he loved you all! Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his brother George, a great nephew and his much loved and missed step-daughter Shawna Pagan. May they all meet once again! Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us everyday, unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear. Service available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/v07kIIPwHeI