Fred Natale Salvo, Jr.

Frederick Natale Salvo, Jr. was born on February 13, 1947, in Natchez, Mississippi and passed peacefully surrounded by his family on March 11, 2025. He received the Last Rites. Known as Fred, but also lovingly as Buleman, Boogie, Big Fred, and Who Who, he was a gentle soul who never met a stranger, loved his family dearly, never missed the opportunity to tell a joke, and was blessed with a quick wit and a full sense of humor. Those qualities served him well throughout his life from childhood to his professional life and in his relationships with his friends and family. Everyone loved Big Fred.

As an infant, someone commented that he was a beautiful man. That comment quickly morphed to “Buleman” and he was known by that nickname throughout his life by his family and childhood friends. Buleman truly was beautiful. He was blessed with the gift of a carefree childhood, a large family and an ideal hometown in which to roam. His boundless energy, inquisitive nature, pension for mischief and quest to always be around his friends were managed only by the loving hand of his mother, Trudy, and the disciplinarian nature of his father, Fritz. He adored his siblings, Paul, Lou, Sheila and Donnie. Their childhood home on Washington Street in Natchez was filled with love, laughter, family meals, activities and a fair share of yelling, friendly fights amongst siblings (especially with his brother), and other chaos and challenges that go along with a large, loving family - just the way it should be. He received the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Mary’s Basilica in Natchez. His life was sustained by his Catholic faith and that faith was instilled and guided by his mother.

He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1965, where he enjoyed playing football for the Green Wave and taking part in many activities. He was a class favorite, was elected president of his senior class and was named Mr. Cathedral High School his senior year. His classmates affectionately called him Boogie. He attended Mississippi State University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity along with many of his childhood friends. He was elected president of his fraternity and was involved in other activities at Mississippi State including quests to prevent the theft of Bully by students from the school to the north. He graduated from Mississippi State in 1969 with a business degree and thereafter served in the Mississippi National Guard while working.

Fred joined Northwestern Mutual in 1971. His self-confidence and entrepreneurial spirit compelled him to open his own business, Fred Salvo and Associates, where he enjoyed great success alongside his longtime business partner, Lynda Hays. He was in the people business and his many clients trusted him to guide and protect their financial future. All of Fred’s friends became his clients and all of his clients became his friends. He was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table and the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career. His professional success allowed him to fully support his family and

provide a firm foundation for them to achieve their dreams. Fred was a natural leader but was not one who sought the spotlight. His infectious personality and ability to talk to and relate to anyone were traits that compelled others to depend on him as a leader and trusted advisor until his retirement in 2020.

A mutual friend set Fred up on a date with Sandra Cecil Scott in 1972. Their first date was dinner at Maxwell’s in Vicksburg and from there they developed a lasting love. They were married at Crawford Street United Methodist Church in Vicksburg on March 16, 1974, established their home in Jackson and were eventually blessed with a son, Frederick Natale Salvo, III in 1975. Fred and Sandra had a devoted and loving marriage and focused most of their time on raising their son and nurturing their relationships with family and friends. Fred’s life was buoyed by the love of his wife and her ability to provide and maintain a loving home supporting his career and their son’s upbringing.

Fred was overjoyed with the addition of his daughter-in-law Jennifer in 2005 and the birth of his grandchildren, doting on them as often as possible. He was given the nickname “Who Who” by his grandchildren because of his uncanny ability to replicate the sound of an owl or a “hoot owl” as he called it. His grandchildren absolutely loved to be with Who Who and he loved to be with them.

He was proud of his Catholic faith, his Sicilian heritage, and the legacy of his name. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman, just like his father. He enjoyed the fall woods, cool mornings, wide brim hats, suspenders, and hunting camp friendships and humor. He enjoyed cooking his favorite Sicilian dishes, long rides on country roads, visiting Lake St. John, picking on his nieces and nephews and giving someone a hard time. He never forgot to call his mother.

Predeceased by his parents, Frederick Natale Salvo (Fritz) and Gertrude Burke Salvo (Trudy), and his brother Donald Joseph Salvo (Donnie), Fred is survived by his wife, Sandra, his son, Frederick III (Jennifer), his grandchildren Natalya, Olivia and Frederick IV, his brother Paul (Roxanne), sisters Lou Jordan (John) and Sheila Alwood (Richard), and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews, all of whom he dearly loved.

Fred suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. His family is thankful for the loving care he received from everyone at St. Catherine’s Village, where he lived the last years of his life. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Fred’s life on March 15 at St. Richard Catholic Church, with visitation from 10-12 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life and Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 pm. Honorary Pallbearers are Hal Hicks, Kenny Burns, Sonny Stone, Harry Sargent, Kelli Foster, Lawrence Alwood and Christopher Johnston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Richard Catholic Church, St. Catherine’s Village or the charity of your choice.