Fred was born in Nashville, Tennessee on June 3, 1929 to James Fred Waldrum, Sr of Nashville and Annie Wert Waldrum of Lewisburg, Tennessee. He grew up in Nashville working in the family drug store, Waldrum Drugs, and graduated from West End High school where he was a cheerleader.
After high school, Fred attended the University of Tennessee where he graduated with a degree in pharmacy. He was a life-long Volunteer fan. After college, he joined the military and was a first lieutenant in the 85th Airborne as a paratrooper.
Finished with military service, Fred returned to Nashville where he joined Eli Lilly and Company in 1956 and met his wife, Martha Kathryn Rooney of Nashville. He loved his work and his family.
Working for Lilly for 36 years, Fred had a successful career in sales and management. He and his family moved many times during his career at Lilly. They lived in many different parts of the country such as Baltimore, Miami, Indianapolis, Rochester, Minnesota, and then Birmingham. After moving to Birmingham in 1976, he finished his career with Lilly retiring in 1991. He enjoyed retirement filled with hobbies and time for family and friends.
Fred is survived by his wife, Martha; their three children, Helen Montgomery, Anne Ives, and Michael Waldrum; as well as seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He loved his family and worked hard to provide for them.
In addition to work and family, Fred had many hobbies and lived a very active life. He enjoyed hunting, wood working, bridge, gardening, and golf. He especially enjoyed his roses and golf. He was always attending to his yard and roses and had some modest recognition from the Birmingham Botanical Garden for his roses. He loved playing at Inverness and then Greystone where he had many friends. He combined his passion for craftsmanship with that of golf and loved making golf clubs. “GClubMaker” was active making clubs for many years and supplied clubs to many golfers in the area.
Fred was a loving, dedicated family man who enjoyed his full life. He died peacefully and will be very missed.
Thanks to all of the healthcare providers who cared for him, especially Dr. David Gettinger at UAB Medicine for his many years of care.
A private family celebration of Fred's life will be conducted.
Memorials to Fred can be directed to The Pulmonary Faculty Development Endowment Fund, UAB Gift Records, 1720 Second Avenue South, AB 1230, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at James Fredrick Waldrum Jr.'s page at www.SouthernHeritageFunerals.com.
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