Frederick Marion DeWitt

FREDERICK “FRED” MARION DEWITT

Frederick Marion DeWitt was born December 23, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Oscar and Maxine Grace (Frazier) DeWitt. He passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at his home in Mancos, Colorado at the age of 86.

Fred grew up and spent his young adult life in Southern California. At age 17, his father signed for him to join the Navy where he served from September 21,1955, to December 15, 1958. For a period of time, Fred worked with his Uncle in the DeWitt Moving & Storage business and later began his career as a carpenter in the construction industry. Fred started a family with his first wife, Jane, during this time.

 Later on, Fred met Virginia Olson when their paths crossed in the workplace and they fell in love. After his retirement in 1991, Fred and Gini moved to Utah where they made their home in the St. George area for five years before moving to their Dolores/Mancos, Colorado home in the spring of 1996. Fred loved the mountains, hunting, camping, and golfing. He became a member of the Cortez Elks Lodge in September, 1996, where he held many offices over the years and always volunteered for events and work projects. He was a beloved Bingo Caller and he and Gini worked and helped manage Elks Bingo for over 20 years. Fred became a Director of the Montezuma County Hospital District Board in September, 2000, and served as their Secretary/Treasurer for 20 years. His passion became advocating for a building to house the ambulances at Southwest Memorial Hospital, which eventually came to fruition. On December 20, 2023, Fred was bestowed the honor of that building being dedicated as the “Fred DeWitt Emergency Medical Services Building”.

Surviving Fred are his wife, Virginia “Gini” Olson of Mancos, CO; his children, daughter Leslie (Michael) Isenhart and son Richard DeWitt; five grandchildren, Bryanna, Jacob and Katelyn DeWitt and Grace and Faith Isenhart; one great grandchild, Nayomi Isenhart all of California; his step-daughter Kimberly Olson (Joe Kelly) of Dolores, CO; step-grandson Cody Olson (Haley Broth) of Kalispell, MT; one brother Thomas (Lynn) DeWitt of Vista, CA; and brother-in-law Paul McDaniel of Auburn, CA, plus nieces and extended family.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gary DeWitt, and his sister JaNelle McDaniel.

Celebration of his life will be held at the Cortez ELKS Lodge on Sunday, June 23, at 2:00 pm.