Fred Cone

Fred Cone, age 95, of Pickens, South Carolina, peacefully passed away surrounded by family at Prisma Health in Seneca on Friday, December 31, 2021. He was born in Pineapple, Alabama, to Loui Pharr Cone and Maggie Neal Cone and had five brothers and sisters.

After a storied childhood in Pineapple, Fred served as a paratrooper with the US Army 11th Airborne Division. During WWII, while on a troop carrier ship enroute to Japan, Hiroshima was bombed and his boat diverted to the Philippines, where he guarded Japanese Prisoners of War for the remainder of his tour. After his military service, Fred enrolled at Clemson College on the GI Bill. Invited by Coach Frank Howard to “walk-on” at Clemson for the football team, he eventually earned a scholarship, and was heralded by Coach Howard as “the best player I ever coached”. Fred was a stand-out fullback and kicker and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1951. Although his love for the Packers was great, his most precious love from Green Bay came in the form of his wife, Judy Anderson. Fred played seven seasons with the Packers and is enshrined in their Hall of Fame. He came out of retirement to play the inaugural season with the Dallas Cowboys in 1960, where he scored the first points in Cowboys’ franchise history.

Fred returned to his beloved Clemson where he served in various capacities with the athletic and intramural sports departments, before retiring. He is a member of the Clemson Ring of Honor, the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame, Clemson Block “C” Club and the SC Athletic Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was selected as a member of the Clemson Centennial Football Team.

Fred was preceded in death by brothers Loui Pharr Cone, Jr., Mickey Cone, sisters Margaret Rambo and Carolyn Fuller. Surviving is a sister, Alaire Sissell of Hiawassee, Georgia.

He is survived by Judy, his loving wife of 67 years. Also surviving are children Jeff Cone of Atlanta, GA, Andy Cone of Pickens, SC, Amy Cone of Six Mile, SC, Tom Pecarina (Pat) of Virginia, MN. Grandchildren Andy Coppes, Hart Ray (Claire), Janna Cone, Bart Cone (Emily), Angela Pecarina and great-grandchildren Kipton and Hayes Cone and Josie Holder. Nieces and nephews include Sonny and Mac Cone; Scott, Todd and Mary Neal Cone; Buddy, Martha, Bill and Mike Rambo; Sherri, Faye and Ikey Fuller; Donnie Britt; Mark and Gretchen Anderson.

A private family committal service will be held at a later date at Woodland Cemetery at Clemson University. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Cone family may be shared at www.DillardFunerals.com or by email at [email protected]