Fred O. Lethco, Jr., 82, of Springfield, passed away on November 16, 2018. He was born March 17, 1936 in Western Douglas County, MO, to Fred Lethco, Sr. and Madge Adams Lethco. He graduated from Ava High School in 1954 where he played football and basketball. He attended Drury University, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Psychology and Economics. Fred later moved to Tampa, FL, where he worked for General Telephone and Electronics. He then moved back to Ava, MO and went into business with his father in the automobile and farm machinery industry. In 1985, Fred moved to Springfield and worked for Thompson Sales Co. He was a member of the Missouri Army National Guard for 40 years and served in active duty in Texas, West Virginia, Alabama, and Panama. He served on the task force in Panama for three years as a Safety Officer and flew helicopters for 26 years. Fred worked at MO AVCRAD from 1997 until his retirement in Production Control. He was an avid fan of Drury Basketball, a former alderman in Ava, a member of the Key Club, and attended Schweitzer United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Martha Jo Dougherty and Carleen Ryan.

He is survived by his daughter, Ann McNamer; granddaughter, Allison Miles, great-grandson, Kaiden Miles; niece, Lora Dougherty Alexander (Bryan); and many other close family and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 23, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, with a visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial with full military honors will follow at Ava Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Schweitzer Food Pantry, Victory Mission, or Help Give Hope, to help families in need this season.