Frederick Charles Castle, age 92, of rural Marshall, MO, died Sunday, July 11, 2021 at his home.
Fred Castle was born in Saline County on July 2, 1929, to Tom and Alberta Pittman Castle. Fred was the middle of five children. He grew up on the family farm, enjoying the beauty of the land and hard work it took to provide for his family. Fred graduated from Malta Bend High School, meeting lifelong best friend Roy Jeffress on the first day of class. At the age of seventeen he locked eyes with Zara Brown across the Malta Bend town square. According to Zara, “love at first sight” was instantly true. They began a blissful marriage on June 16, 1951.
Their lives soon revolved around tending to the family farm and their first daughter, Kay. Children Karla, Ken, and Charlie were each happily welcomed to the family in the coming years. Fred enjoyed the fun of parenting, while Zara was left to be the disciplinarian. The only parent-teacher conference he attended, he was surprised to learn that his son was the class clown. Fred later developed into an extraordinary homemaker. His dishes and sinks were always spotless; the home was kept safe from appliances being left plugged in or stove burners being left on.
Fred was a man of adventure while enjoying the simplicity of life. He showed off his water skiing skills at the Lake of the Ozarks despite not knowing how to swim. His vacation to Mexico involved being lost for far too long after a bullfight. His European expedition led him to being a pack mule for an older woman in his tour group who clearly brought too much luggage. Fred may also have attended some wild clubs while vacationing in Hawaii.
The next phase of his life saw Fred become the best grandfather. He attended school functions and doted on his grandchildren’s accomplishments. Fred was even known to speak highly of the family dogs and cats.
Fred will always be remembered for the love he shared with Zara. He will be dearly missed watching over the farm, checking on Ken while working, going for rides around town, and being the best listener the world has ever known.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Alberta Castle; his soulmate Zara Castle; and older sister Mary Kathryn Gauldin.
He will be dearly missed by his family. Survivors include Kay Disselhoff and husband Dennis of Kansas City; Karla Simpson and husband John of Marshall; Ken Castle and wife Brenda of Marshall; and Charlie Castle and wife Rhana of Pleasant Hill. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Abby Bozarth and husband Jeremiah with sons Hudson and Colton; Bill Disselhoff and wife Lauren with children Drew, Kimber, and Benson; Katie Disselhoff; Christian Castle; Jenna Pickard and husband Connor with daughter Emmy; Skylar Simpson and husband Amit Jain; Kendra Castle and fiancé Hunter Rolf; and Savannah Torrey and husband John. Siblings are Harold “Bud” Castle, Anne Boedeker, and Bernadette Cleary.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 15, at St. Peter Catholic Church, with Fr. Francis Doyle officiating. Burial will follow at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
To celebrate Fred’s life, faith, and generosity, donations can be made to the Community Food Pantry, Mary Montgomery Hospice, and St. Peter Church, in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home.