Fred Clarke Lutes, Sr.

“Grandpa Fred,” Fred Clarke Lutes, Sr., passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at Aldersgate Village, Topeka. He was known by countless friends and loved ones as “Grandpa Fred.” Fred was born in Kansas City, MO, on December 7, 1925.

Fred was a proud Veteran of WW 2. As a Seaman 1st Class SV6 USNR, he was tasked with maintaining amphibious equipment and landing craft on the USS Mulphen AKA-61. He served on Iwo Jima and Okinawa; receiving 3 ribbons: Victory Medal Ribbon, American Area Ribbon and Asiatic Theatre Ribbon with two stars.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years: Ruth Margaret Biggerstaff-Lutes on May 11, 1997; his parents: Henry and Edna (Chaney) Lutes; a brother: Claude Allan Lutes; and his faithful, loving friend: Beverly Fetter of Salina, KS.

Survivors include sons: Fred Clark Lutes, Jr. of Little Rock, AR, and Julian Ray “Jay” Lutes of Auburn, KS; one step-granddaughter and two step-great-granddaughters of El Paso, TX; one brother: Roy Martin Lutes of Leawood, KS; and several foster grandchildren.

Fred received his Juvenile Justice degree from Washburn. He retired Dec. 1, 1987, from the Reception and Diagnostic Center of Kansas after 25 years of employment. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in the Auburn and Topeka area for 18 years. Fred also was a faithful volunteer in the Awana Program for children of all ages, at the Auburn Christian Church for 17 years.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, March 5, 2018, at Auburn Christian Church 1351 Washington, Auburn. Military honors will be conducted at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka.

Fred will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Sunday, at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.