Pastor William "Fred" Loving

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Pastor William “Fred” Loving, 75, of Johnson, NY, who entered the church triumphant on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Fred died at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, NY following a long illness.

The son of the late Willie and Mary Tucker Loving, Fred was born on March 13, 1944 in Harlem, NY. He attended NYC schools and proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Fred worked at Mid Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center as a senior T.A. for many years until his retirement in 1999. He was a volunteer fireman for Engine 1 in Middletown and an EMT for Midway Ambulance. 

Fred was very active in everything he did, but his spiritual work was his greatest joy. He received his license to preach in 2011 and pastored churches in Fort Montgomery and Westbrookville. He enjoyed being able to carry the message to others and was beloved by his congregations.

Fred is survived by his loving wife, Merri Lou, at home; his daughters, Toshia Loving and Erin Evans and her husband, Greg; his stepdaughter, Elizabeth Johansen and her husband, Jon; and his sons, Robert Flood and his wife, Valerie, and Christopher Carter and his wife, Allison. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Frank Loving and Ollie Hall. 

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Ave, Middletown, NY 10940. A celebration of life will be held at 4 pm at the funeral home, with Pastor Agnes Saffoury officiating. Cremation will be private.