The Rev. Dr. C. Fred Werhan
March 14, 1937 ~ September 30, 2022
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Candler, NC
The Reverend Fred Werhan, former pastor of Hominy Baptist Church in Candler, died peacefully surrounded by loving family on September 30, 2022, at the age of 85.
A native of Asheville, he was the grandson of Charles Griffin Lanning, and Asheville police Captain (1907-1933) and the brother of Gus Lanning Werhan, an Asheville fireman, killed in the line of duty in a fire on Biltmore Avenue in December, 1963, in whose memory the main downtown fire station was dedicated 50 years later in 2014.
For most of his life, up to graduation from Lee H. Edwards High School in 1955, he lived with and was reared by his aunt and uncle, Polly and Craig Cloninger, and their two children, Don Cloninger and Ann Cloninger Anderson, though first cousins, became his brother and sister.
After high school graduation in 1955, already a Naval Reservist at the Asheville Naval Reserve Cente5, he went on active duty in the Navy where he served for 8 years (2 years on the USS Damato DDE-871 out of Norfolk, VA, 5 years with the Heavy Attack Wing Command at the Naval Air Station in Sanford, FL, and a final year on the USS Ely PCE 880 on Lake Michigan out of Sheboygan, WS). He was a Yeoman 2nd Class Petty Officer when discharged in August, 1963.
On April 2, 1956, he married Patricia Henry, the only daughter of John and Alma Henry of Asheville, whom he met working as a “soda jerk” at the Palace Pharmacy in West Asheville his senior year in high school. His wife, Pat, survives him and they celebrated their 66th anniversary on April 2nd this year. A daughter, Deborah Lynn Werhan Smith (husband Jim), born in 1957 survives along with her children, April Riedel (wife Kristen Silvers) and Autumn Riedel (husband Andrew McGuinn) and a great-grandson, Skyler Lewis (son of April Riedel). Preceding him in death in 2011 was their adopted daughter, Teri Lynn Werhan Sexton (surviving husband Mark Sexton) and surviving grandson, Hayden Sexton.
Following his Navy service, in 1963 he attended Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN, graduating with a BA degree (Magna Cum Laude) in 1967. He was awarded a full scholarship to Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN, where he attended from 1967 to 1970, receiving a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree. Completing his dissertation and other work begun while still at Vanderbilt, he received the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1973.
From August 1970 through 1972 he served as Associate Pastor to Nane Starnes at West Asheville Baptist Church and on January 1, 1973, became Pastor of Hominy Baptist Church in Candler where he served until his retirement December 31, 1995 (23 years).
In addition to his pastoral ministry he was active in Various community ministries and organizations: he served two 2 year terms as President of ABCCM (1973-74, 1982-83), he was a member and President of the Advisory Board of the Personal and Family Counseling Center (1980-94), member of Asheville-Buncombe United Way Board and President of the board for the Asheville Volunteer Association, President of the Candler School PTA, and served on the Memorial Mission Hospital committee which hired its first hospital chaplain in 1985.
He was a member of the General Board of the NC Baptist State Convention from 1994 to 1998.
In retirement he worked for over 20 years as a wedding officiant in WNC at dozens of different wedding venues, officiating nearly 2,000 weddings (over 300 at Grove Park Inn).
By this remember me, he wrote:
“To leave my world better than found
For me was to walk on holy ground
I seek no Heaven, nor Hell to shun
When this my earthly life is done.
What more did God ask of me
Than like the Son I seek to be.
And Love my neighbor was His plea
If like Him I would seek to be.”
CFW
An informal memorial service will be held at Hominy Baptist Church in Candler, NC on Saturday, October 8th at 1:00 p.m.. Visitation begins at noon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hominy Baptist Church and ABCCM.
Services
Visitation: October 8, 2022 12:00 pm - October 5, 2024 1:00 pm
Hominy Baptist Church
135 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828)667-4541
Memorial Service: October 8, 2022 1:00 pm
Hominy Baptist Church
135 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828)667-4541
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Thank you Uncle Freddie for teaching me so much grace.
Joy Anderson Gallion
Thank you Uncle Freddie for teaching me so much grace.
Joy Anderson Gallion
What a blessing Fred was to our family. His Aunt Polly willl be welcoming him home.
Preacher Fred, as Lisa always called him. He was a great man and touched more lives then one could ever count. He will be missed and much love to his precious family.
Knowing you, Fred Werhan, has been a blessing in my life!
So sad to hear this. He was in the shop last week visiting Buddy on his birthday. We are so
blessed to have Buddy and will always take care of him for Mr. Werhan. We will be praying for the family.
Fred was a wonderful example what a great human being is, and I feel privileged to have known him. He and I worked on many weddings together, and he always made me smile when I arrived and he was already there, a pacific smile on his face. I treasure his book and I will miss his Facebook postings, which I always looked forward to and read with admiration at his insight and kindness and acceptance. He will be missed…
My sympathy to the family. I grew up with Pat in the same neighborhood and I have visited her several times when she was at Brookdale, also visiting with Fred at the same time. Since I grew up with Pat, I have known Fred since before they were married.
He was a fine man and will be missed by many people.
Again, my sincere sympathy
My deepest sympathies to my dear friend Debby. I know how much you adored your dad. He will be deeply missed. What a treasure he was and will continue to be through you and your family. I continue to keep Pat in prayer as well as you and Jim. Miss you so much! Love you! Mary
We miss you but have hope to see you again. Best neighbor 🍂🌱🌱
My deepest sympathy to the family! My husband, Roy J. Smith thought so much of Fred. I have enjoyed Fred’s writing so much.
We remember with love and appreciation Fred and Pat, and their service at West Asheville Baptist, and dear Polly Cloninger, Don, and the Cloninger family. Lynn and Hugh (Bud) Parker
Bob and I first met Fred at West Asheville Baptist and then at Hominy Baptist. His goal was to make the world a better place and to inspire us to do the same through love as taught by Jesus. Humble, caring. biblical scholar, respect and accepting of all, friendly great speaker and writer. Debbie and family, you were so fortunate to be part of his life. I am so sorry for your loss
Lenora Roberts Saunders (Prissy)
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My condolences to the family on Rev. Werhan’s passing.
Wade Caldwell
Deborah and family,
I saw your dad’s obituary and wanted you to know I am praying for you! It is a sad time to lose our parents and think of all the memories. May God bless you with strength and comfort! He is our strength.
Deborah and family,
I saw your dad’s obituary and wanted you to know I am praying for you! It is a sad time to lose our parents and think of all the memories. May God bless you with strength and comfort! He is our strength.
Pat, Debby & rest of family, I’ve had you on my mind & wondered if all were well. I do this sometimes when someone I’ve known & cared about passes! Fred was a wonderful pastor & person! He will be missed, even though I’ve been gone from Asheville, for over 42 yrs! I look forward to seeing him, Polly & so many others in heaven!
Sorry that I could not make the service. Fred was a supporter and mentor since I moved to Mars Hill 27 years ago. He invited me to the monthly moderate ministers meeting and then gave me the mailing list when he retired. He was always sharing interesting things he was reading and less than a month ago I accused him of being to wordy on his response to an article. He will be missed. I appreciate you sharing him with the world. Tommy Justus, pastor of Mars Hill Baptist
My deepest sympathy to the family!
Scott gibson
So sorry for your loss. Reverend Werhan married my husband and I. He was an amazing man.
I am the former owner of Cedar Crest Victorian Inn. On many occasions I called on Reverend Werhan to perform ceremonies for guests. He was always patient, gracious and put everyone at ease, making the events special and most memorable. That was especially the case on May 25, 2007 when Reverend Werhan married our son and his lovely bride in the gardens of Cedar Crest. We will always remember that beautiful day. His calming presence will be greatly missed.
Rev. Werhan officiated our wedding, and my wife and I were just speaking about how special he made it. You are missed and made an impact on the many of us you casually crossed paths with. See you on the other side 🙂