Fred Loyal Carrick of Potosi, Missouri, formerly of Cherryville, Missouri, was born on Friday, August 22, 1930 in Seymour, Missouri to Ivel Carrick and Ada (nee Dunnigan) Carrick and passed away on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at the age of 95 years, 5 months and 29 days.
He enlisted January 4, 1952 in the United States Army. He earned the National Defense Service Medal. After his active duty ended, his service did not. For eight years in the Army Reserve, he worked as a mechanic.
On Jan. 3, 1955, Fred married Bertha Fay Chandler.
He worked at Combustion Engineering in St. Louis as well as logging with team horses for sawmills like Merritts, Wayne Richards, Arneson and Martins. When Arneson Timber moved to Steelville, he took apart the entire sawmill and rebuilt it at its new home. He worked as a maintenance man for The Rafting Company and as a farm worker for Nina McPherson and others. He restored Amish buggies and wagons, worked as a blacksmith and welder.
He raised and trained Appaloosas. He loved rodeos, trail rides, and the camaraderie that came with them. He was a lifetime member of the Ozark Trail Blazers, Seymour Saddle Club and VFW Post 6660.
He enjoyed road racing when he could “put his foot to the pedal,” and road trips with friends Jerry Setzer, Sonny Eaton and Andrew Stubbs. He could often be found at the round table at Spare Rib, sharing coffee and conversation. At the Cherryville Store, he earned the nickname “Windy” — a nod to his gift for storytelling and his legendary tall tales.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivel and Ada Carrick; wife, Bertha Carrick; parents-in-law, Autta and Hettie Chandler; infant son, Ival Carrick; siblings, Mildred “Alvina” (Earl) Miller, Willard (Nora) Carrick, Maxine (George) Cates and infant Wilbur Carrick; son-in-law, James Pankey; brothers-in-law, Claude Chandler, Norman Chandler, Don (Faye) Chandler and Montie (Etta) Chandler; sisters-in-law, Betty (Don) Coplin, Lottie (Elmer) Pyatt, Rosie (Lawrence) Stricklin, Geraldine (Gene) Dicus and Donna (Fred) Wilhite.
He is survived by his children, Gladys Pankey of Rolla, Missouri, Roy Carrick (Jeanette Massey) of Cherryville, Missouri, Nancy Carrick of Steelville, Missouri, Tresa Maize of Lesterville, Missouri and James Carrick (Amanda Black) of Cherryville, Missouri; sisters, Margaret Philpot of Forsyth, Missouri and Darlene Berns of Springfield, Missouri; special friends, Jim Cottrell, Ken Halbert, Jerry Setzer, Paul Hutson and Paul Wilkerson; special friends, Geneva Young, Shannon Cottrell, Jim and Joyce Cottrell; grandchildren; great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at McSpadden Funeral Home in Lesterville, Missouri.
Graveside service was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at Keysville Cemetery in Steelville, Missouri with full military honors.
Arrangements under the direction of McSpadden Funeral Home in Lesterville, Missouri.
