Clarence O. Frederick, Jr.

Clarence O. Frederick, Jr., 83, of Palm Bay, passed away on September 19, 2020. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 10AM at Buggs Funeral Home.

Buggs Funeral Home
2701 S. Harbor City Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-728-7076

Clarence O. Frederick, Jr. was born in Silver Springs, Florida in 1937. He grew up in a household which steered him to develop a strong lifelong work ethic. He started working at an early age to be able to provide for his own needs. He graduated from Howard High School in Ocala in 1954 and obtained a B.S. degree in Music Education from Florida A&M University, after changing his major from Economics at the prompting of the Father. His career as a music teacher started in Fort Myers, Florida but was temporarily put on hold when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he worked as a clerk typist in Columbia, South Carolina for 22 months until he was released from duty in August, 1962.

After leaving the military, Clarence resumed his music teaching career in Panama City, Florida where he taught for eight years at Patterson Elementary School. After researching salaries in Florida, he settled on working in Brevard County where he interviewed until he found a teaching position at Sherwood Elementary School in Melbourne, Florida. He worked at this school from 1969 until his retirement in 2002 (33 years). During this time, in the summers he also worked for Brevard Recreation. After retiring, he taught stringed instruments and keyboard part-time at Palm Bay Academy.

Clarence’s life revolved around his Christian faith and music. These two major areas of his life were intertwined. He was a music minister at a number of churches over the years, including Allen Chapel AME church in Melbourne, Victory Christian Center in Palm Bay, and Ascension Lutheran church in Indian Harbour Beach, where he also served as a Sunday school teacher. In addition, he had his own business as a private music instructor. He also loved reading the Word in order to build his relationship with the Father by renewing his mind. At the prompting of a nun he memorized Psalm 27, which he read every day.

Clarence was married to his beloved Eleanor for 25 years. They enjoyed fishing together and did so often. Clarence was also a big sports fan. He loved football and basketball, and gained a fondness for baseball as well (a favorite sport of Eleanor). Clarence also volunteered with his spouse in ministry to the sick and shut-ins, and with parks and recreation. Two of Clarence’s favorite things to do were to sit and relax along the river bank, and to eat soul food.

Clarence’s brother and sisters are Edward, Shirley and Ophelia. He also was an uncle and great-uncle to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition, he has a blended family of seven children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. His children are Larry (deceased), Deidra, Melanie, Anita, Jonnell, Margaret and Laura. He loved his family very much and worked hard to provide for them. He regularly spoke with them to maintain good relationships. He also loved to get together with lifelong friends and did so often. Clarence will be fondly remembered as a hard-working man who loved God, as well as his family, friends and students dearly. He will also be remembered as someone loved dearly by them as well.