Dr. Frederick Girard passed away in Modesto on November 28, 2021. He was 85 years of age. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Fred, as he was known by his friends and family, was born in Elk Point, South Dakota on May 29, 1936. He attended The University of Iowa where he graduated with his Doctorate in Medicine in 1962. Shortly after, Fred joined the Army where he completed his internship and achieved the rank of Captain. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington. Fred was then deployed as a Flight Surgeon to Panama where he helped deliver medical care to Central America. He honorably completed his service with the United States Army and moved his family to Modesto where he completed his residency and set up his practice in 1965. He retired in 1997 after a long career as a Family Practitioner, Surgeon and Obstetrician. He was proud to have delivered generations of babies.
Fred enjoyed flying his plane. He flew to Mexico many times over the years with other doctors to volunteer for Aeromedicos, a nonprofit healthcare organization dedicated to providing medical care to remote regions of Mexico. He was dedicated to his family and frequently traveled to the coast of California with his family. He enjoyed deep sea fishing with his friends and loved going to the movies with his grandchildren.
Fred is preceded in death by his father Harvey Girard, his mother Odella Girard, and his brother Maynard Girard. Fred is survived by his loving wife, Wilma Girard, married for 63 wonderful years, his children, Cynthia (Kim), Mike, Susan, Tom (Catrina), his grandchildren Zachary, Tyler, Lindsey, Jeremy, Madison, Sam, and Joshua, and his great-grandchild Reid, his sister Pat, Niece Jane (Jim) and nephews Marty and Marris.
The Vigil service will be held on December 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM, at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, McHenry Chapel, 1050 Mchenry Ave., Modesto. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, located at 505 W Granger Ave., Modesto, on Monday December 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Committal Service will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park, located at 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, Ca.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto 95356, Salvation Army 625 “I” St., Modesto, 95354, or a charity of your own.
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