Fred Courey

Fred S. Courey, 95, former Lennox Mayor died Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Lennox Good Samaritan Center. Fred Samuel Courey was born on January 2, 1917 in Lennox, SD, the son of Samuel and Mabel (Salem) Courey. He graduated from Lennox High School in 1934 and was the last living member of his class. During his formative years he was active in many school and community activities, such as baseball, instrumental music, school newspaper and FFA. As a youth he worked in the family grocery store and was correspondent for area newspapers. In October of 1941 Fred was inducted into the US Army and remained in the service for four years. He had no furlough or leave of absence during that time. He visited at least ten islands, countries; spent more than 90 days aboard ship traveling to the various sites and traveled an estimated 15,000 miles. Three of those years he served in the Pacific Theater with a field artillery unit as the battalion personnel sergeant-major. Upon returning home, Fred resumed his affiliation with the family store and also worked at the local newspaper, The Lennox Independent. He served as city auditor for two years and later, in 1960, became mayor of Lennox. This position he held for twenty years, during which time many municipal improvement and city projects were realized. After leaving public office, he resumed working for the local newspaper for a number of years. Both as a public official and a private citizen, Mr. Courey unceasingly promoted "his town". He worked to attract businesses and industry to the community and promoted sports and recreational activities. He was a lifelong member of St. Magdalen Catholic Church and a life member of the American Legion and VFW. He remained interested in baseball most of his life, playing for the Lennox Browns baseball team and promoting it in the state and community for many years. In 2005 Fred and his brother, Dave, were the first brothers inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. Survivors include three brothers: Sam Jr. (Barbara), Golden Valley, MN, Charles Sr. (Dianne) Moraga, CA and George (Virginia), Danville, CA; two sisters: Rozene (John) Klemic, Naperville, Il and Marianne Courey, Lennox, SD; sister-in-law: Jean Courey, Silver Spring, MO and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 4, at St. Magdalen Catholic Church. Scripture service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church. Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday at Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home and after 6 p.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials are preferred.

Fred Courey

January 2, 1917 - April 29, 2012

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