Freddie Lee Sego, 86, was born Nov. 9, 1933, in Alamosa, Colorado, to father, Benjamin Frederick Sego, and mother, Edna Mae Sego. Growing up in the foothills of Colorado, Montana and Washington, Fred developed an incurable fascination for the outdoors. As a precocious boy and well into his teens, he enjoyed disappearing for several days at a time on wild misadventures while living off the land hunting, fishing, and communing with nature.

After high school Fred accepted an engineering apprenticeship at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, where he would continue his engineering career of 37 years until his retirement in ‘89. During this time Fred made great impacts on the Naval forces being constructed and revitalized in the Bremerton Shipyard as well as Subic Bay Shipyard during the wartime effort.

Fred fulfilled his patriotic duty with dedicated service enlisting in the Washington National Guard in ‘53, accepting a nomination to Officer Candidate School by Washington Gov. Roselinni, graduating top of his Class of ‘62, rising to the rank of Army captain in the infantry prior to his honorable discharge in ‘69.

While visiting family back in Okanogan, Wash-ington, in ‘52, his sister Sally introduced him to her beautiful friend, Beverley Slater, and the connection was written in the stars. After a nine month courtship, they were married in ‘53 and set out to forge a life together. They made the PNW Peninsula their family home, raising their four children in Bremerton ‘53-‘57, Port Orchard ‘57-‘66, with a four-year adventure in scenic Subic Bay Philippines during the Vietnam War ‘66-‘70, then back to Port Orchard ‘70-‘72, finally settling down in Silverdale ‘72-’89.

They shared the love of the outdoors and respect for nature with their children and grandchildren in their care whenever possible. Be it trips to the golf course, weekend backpacking expeditions, family ski trips, weekly runs or stream fishing fun, they gave their love without expectations or conditions. The legacy of family, love and respect will live on in the four children, 11 grandchildren, 14 great -grandchildren and many generations to come.

With retirement in ‘89, they slowed down in Polson to continue their adventures sharing the mutual joy of golfing, hiking, skiing, stream fishing, camping, and dancing.

As time passed they found that the love of dancing competitions, and eventually instructing others had filled the loss of the more physical activities. They touched and inspired the lives of so many in their community who shared their love of dance and music.

In addition to being a dedicated husband and father, taking great pride in his children, Fred was honored at the opportunity to enrich the lives of his grandchildren as a provider, mentor, friend or playmate.

After the loss of his loving wife, partner in crime, and best friend till the end of 56 years, Beverley, to a vicious battle with Alzheimer’s January ’09, Fred found a new dance partner to love and share life with for his remaining 10 years. He and Karen Gunderson were married May 2010.

He was preceded in death by parents, Benjamin Sego, Edna Sego-Payne, and Guy Payne; and wife, Beverley Sego.

He is survived by his wife Karen Gunderson-Sego; his sisters, Sally McAdoo, Celeste Bush, Susie Largent; brothers, Henry Sego, Guy Payne and Thomas Payne; daughter, Ramona (Douglas) Wagner, of Hamilton, Montana; son, Fred Sego Jr., of St. Regis; son, Steven Sego, of Port Orchard, Washington; daughter, Lorelei (Cass) Eslick, of Polson; daughter-in-law, Shari Sego, of Bigfork; stepdaughter, Lisa, of Polson; stepdaughter, Lori, of Kalispell; stepson, Greg (Catherine), of Whitefish; grandchildren, John (Christina) Grochala, Dustin (Tonemarie) Grochala, Kjersti Day, Ashley Stube, Natalie (Michael) Berger, Rachel Sego, Benjamin Sego, Abigail Sego, Alexander Sego, Andrew Sego and Morgan Massey, stepgrandchildren, Haven, Joshua and Solvei; and great-grandchildren, Sammy, Miriam, Taylor, Reagan, John, Evangeline, Ellyanna, Ryan, Evan, Joshua, Trystan, Brianne, Brook and Dustin.

Fred passed away peacefully Thursday, June 11, 2020, at home in Kalispell with his wife and loving family at his side.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at the Polson Elks Club, 512 Main St., with a reception to follow.

Per Fred’s wishes, cremation has taken place and he will be laid to rest beside Beverley after the ceremony.