Fred Warren Liggett, Jr. passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 6th, 2021. He was just 59 years old.
Fred was born and raised in Paris, Kentucky to the late Fred Sr. and Lydia, he later enlisted in the US Army in 1985. Who knew then that he’d spend north of 20 years as an enlisted soldier, finally retiring in 2005 as a First Sergeant, E8. His final discharge documents and retirement orders list a tremendous amount of decorations and awards, which include among others The Legion Of Merit award, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Army Superior Unit Award and Parachutist Badge. 1SG Liggett had also completed the Sergeants Major Course and was promotable to E9 at the time he retired.
After military retirement he began working with the VA at Bay Pines and landed a very important job as a Transitional Patient Advocate and Social Worker. The work he did in helping patients on the inside and other veterans on the outside made a tremendous impact on so many lives. Fred also was an active member of the VFW and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) who gave him his road name, “TOP”. That roasted-orange colored trike he drove….. you couldn’t miss him! Along with all the love and support he gave to veterans organizations over the years, his other love was fishing. He would/could be out on the boat all day and still not be tired of it. Fred was a long time member of Bay Area Bass Masters fishing club. What a full day everyday with hobbies like fishing, motorcycles and a big family to love on.
Several family members predeceased Fred including his parents Fred Sr. and Lydia, along with his sister Nora Day. Survivors include his loving wife of 40 years, Anita (nee Yarnell); sons Jeremy (Holly) and Jason (Lauren); daughter Jessica Alderman (Thomas, III); grandchildren Dylan Peyton, Charliegh, JP, Savannah and JJ Liggett along with Tristyn, TJ and Taryn Alderman; and many nieces and nephews.
Services and Ceremonies have been entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, FL. Face coverings/masks will be required when indoors at the funeral home and when on-property at any VA facility or National Cemetery.
To celebrate this amazing man and career solider there will be services on Sunday March 14th and Monday March 15th. Sunday the 14th, Viewing/Visitation begins at 5:00pm at Veterans Funeral Care, which is open to the public, friends and family. Chapel Service will begin at 6:00pm, officiated by Pastor Branson Rogers. On Monday March 15th, there will be a final farewell gathering at Bay Pines VA Complex near the south dock (waterside) from 10:30am to 11:30am. Funeral procession will depart at 11:45 up to Florida National Cemetery where First Sergeant Liggett will be laid to rest with full military honors at 1:30pm.
Condolences can be shared on the VeteransFuneralCare.com obituaries tribute page.
The world has lost a great man; prayers to Fred’s beloved family and all the friends who grieve his loss; Fred will always be you – his work continues in heaven watching over all who loved him. Prayers and hugs to all!
I will, forever miss my friend, Fred, who always had a smile and infectious laugh. Awesome Husband to Anita, wonderful father and one heck of a proud grandpa. Fred was that guy that would give you the shirt off his back, and come to a neighbor’s rescue in the middle of a rain storm to bail out her basement and keep you laughing while doing it. He loved his wife and made sure everyone knew it. He is what every man should strive to be and every woman looks for in a man. The world was a better place with Fred in it!
Very few people in this world leave such an impact like Fred did. I remember the neighborhood parties and the conversations. I haven’t spoke to Fred in years but can still hear his voice. Anita, my heart hurts for you and the family. Fred was a tremendous person and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to know him. God speed ole friend!
I met Fred back in 2012. Extremely dedicated to our Veterans and staff. Love serving our Veterans and their families. Never denied you a smile and always took time to listen to your concerns and worries. I will always remember Fred, his fishing stories, how much he love his family, and how he was in defending this country. My condolencias to his entire family.
Fred & I both worked in the Transition Care Management office for a number of years. We hit it off immediately upon introduction. He was like that with a lot of people, right? We were both Army retirees (Huah!), dedicated to helping our fellow Veterans get the care they’ve earned. Along with a dedicated staff of Social Workers and in cooperation with other Services within Bay Pines, we often worked Veteran outreach events to raise awareness in the community of the crucial role we all play in successfully integrating our sisters and brothers-in-arms back into The Civilian World.
They say that the true measure of a person is found not in the good times but rather when times ain’t so good. When Hurricane Irma’s path was predicted to hit Pinellas county, Fred & Anita opened their home to my family. They took in me, the wife, our daughter, her three kids and Milo the Weiner Dog. Everything was cool up until Irma took a turn, with the eye of the storm directly over us. There was lots of wind but the Kentucky Bourbon smoothed it out. Fun Times, Fun Times.
Fred was truly a great friend. He stood up for me and I was proud, standing behind him in the photograph. At least part of me, anyway. We had so many conversations about family, politics, fishing, fishing, fishing, hunting, the Howard Franklin vs Selmon route home, bureaucracies, heroes & fools. And, fishing.
We’re all gonna miss you, Fred.
This is a good man down and way way too early. He gave over 20 years to our nation in the Army and then spent the next half serving the veterans themselves. Thank you Top for honoring our people. I wish I had gotten to know him better.
I’ll miss working with you here at Bay Pines, Fred. It’s been fun over the years since you came here. Now you’re in a place I can’t follow for now. All the best in your next journey, wherever it takes you.
I cannot believe Fred is gone. He was an amazing advocate and a good friend. Whenever I had an appointment or meeting at Bay Pines, I would stop by his office to catch up on the latest work issues, see if he had any Veterans in need of readjustment counseling, get the fishing report, talk football, family or anything in general. He was fun to do outreach events with and he did such incredible work advocating for not only combat Vets but any Vet who needed assistance. He never said no to helping anyone who asked. I wish his family peace because they lost him way too soon. We are all going to miss Fred. He is irreplaceable and truly a unique individual. Rest In Peace my friend and I hope the heavens have all the fish you could ever want to catch.
My deepest and sincerest condolences to the Family & Friends of Fred. While I have not met any of you, I knew from our many conversations in person and on the phone that all of you meant so much to him. Fred solved many problems for me when I retired from the Army and I was lucky enough to have him as my Patient Advocate. Fred’s help and counsel helped me to be where I am today. The number of times he has helped me solve the problems getting the care I deeded are too many to count, I was homeless for a time and thanks to Fred’s help my life has changed 360 degrees. Fred was a wealth of knowledge who always took the time to listen and understand, qualities that all of us would do well to copy. I join you in the sadness of Fred’s passing but I am encouraged by how freely he gave of himself to everyone he came into contact with. This means a part of him will always live on in all of us who were lucky enough to have known him. May GOD’S peace and comfort be with all of you for all of your days. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, FRED!!
Anita, we are so sad to hear of Fred’s passing. We just found about it when the Ledger had an article in the fishing page about the Fred W. Liggett, Jr Memorial Bass Tournament. It’s been a few years since you two lived in LKMHP but we have never forgotten what a caring couple you were and we all thoroughly enjoyed your friendship. Fred was always eager to help anyone, anyway he could even tho it was always late before he got home from work. I have sent Donna Hughes’s son the link as she had to go back to Ohio due to her health and age. Fred was always there to help her with any problem she had as he did for so many of the residents here who were so much older than he was! God Bless you, Anita & your family! Fred was a true servant of our Lord and I know you are so proud of him.Our love & prayers 🙏 Jack & Ramona
When I transitioned out I was having such a hard time. The VA was so overwhelming to me. You helped me so many times. We would talk on the phone or I’d stop by your office. I just learned of your passing and I want you to know your impact on me will never be forgotten. You helped me so much. I appreciate you. Your family and friends are in my prayers.