Fred D. Muse, Jr.

Fred Dewey Muse, Jr., 90, of Asheville went home to be with the Lord on August 9, 2012 at the WNC Baptist Retirement Home. He was born in Asheville, NC to the late Fred D. Muse, Sr. and Winfred Wilde Muse. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-four years, Nelle Holt Parsons Muse, and two sisters, Ruth Muse Henderson and Melba Muse LaManna. Fred was born on June 14, 1922. He was a graduate of Cecil's Business College. During World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Third Air Commando Group and was assigned to the Pacific Theater where he served as a member of a fighter support group for bomber fighter squadrons, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Fred owned and operated Fred Muse Insurance Agency in Asheville for many years. He later joined Taylor & Murphy Construction Company where he retired as Safety Director. He was active in church and community activities, having served as Elder and Church School Superintendent at First Presbyterian Church, President of Asheville Jaycees, State Director of NC Jaycees, President of Sertoma Club, Board Member of Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Buncombe County Welfare Board. He was also an avid golfer, member of the Country Club of Asheville and the "Bandits" golf crew. He is survived by his daughter, June Muse Brookshire, son-in-law, Ben Brookshire, and three grandchildren that he showered with his love: Hunter Bennett, Tucker Dylan, and Savannah Anne; and his sister, Helen Muse Brown. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Burnham officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23056.