SGM Fred Hoskins

December 17, 1940—June 16, 2024

It is saddening for the family of Segreant Major Fred Hoskins to announce his passing, on June 16, 2024; our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and husband will be truly missed.  Fred was in the presence of family when he peacefully passed at the Fieldstone Memory Care Home in Puyallup, Washington.  Fred was born on December 17, 1940 in Monroe Michigan and was one of eight children born from the marriage of Manuel Hoskins and Irine (Short) Hoskins.  Fred was a "Class of 1959" graduate of Monroe High School, Monroe, Michigan. He taught us all to never give up on your dreams when on March 24, 1993 he received an Associate in Arts and Sciences degree from Pierce College Tacoma, Washington and again on December 5, 1995 when he received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Washington.  The American Occupational Therapy Certification Board, Inc. Certified him as a Registered Occupational Therapist on February 27, 1996.  Fred married Henrietta (Clark) Hoskins, of Tuscaloosa Alabama on March 10, 1960; they were blessed with four children.  He later married Brunhilde (Johnson) Hoskins on November 5, 1998 and added three step-children to his family.

Fred was a hard-working man!  He started out with summer jobs at the Monroe Recreation Center (summers of '58 and '59) and then worked for Ford Motor Company from August 1959 to June 1960.  He next worked for the State of Michigan in Kalamazoo from June 1960 to Jan 1961.  Fred proudly served our country for 28 years and six months in the United States Army from February 13, 1961 until his retirement on April 1, 1990.  During his military career he served with distinction in numerous positions and numerous units.  His service includes serving as a medical aidman with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam; as a wardmaster at Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, Korea, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma; he served as a First Sergeant for two years at the 47th Field Hospital, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His career culminated as the Chief Wardmaster, Department of Nursing, Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington.  During his military career he was awarded numerous awards and citations including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) with "V" (for valor) device.  The ARCOM cites his heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force where, while under enemy mortar attack, he refused to take shelter until he was satisfied that all the wounded had been sheltered and treated. His decorations include the Senior Parachutist Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Expert Badge (rifle M16).  After his military retirement and receiving his bachelor's degree Fred worked as an Occupational Therapist from 1996 to 2007 at the Life Care Center of Puyallup and later at the Bremerton Convalescent and Rehab Center.

Fred's passions included spending time with his grandchildren, listening to gospel and jazz music which he did almost every day; a love of hunting and fishing which he wanted to do almost every day; a love for sports especially, softball where he led his team, the Fort Sill Cannoneers, in '75 & '76 to win back-to-back slow-pitch softball U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) championships!

Fred, throughout his life, fought hard for others as he lived his passion for caring in his professional life as well as in private.  He was a prostate cancer survivor and fought "the good" fight against Alzheimer's.  Fred Hoskins died on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, 2024.  His passing was proceeded by a son, Deacon Reginald "Reggie" Hoskins; a daughter-in-law, Lannie Hoskins; his parents; two brothers, Manuel Hoskins Jr. and Robert Hoskins; two sisters Jessie Miller, Ernestine Johnson.

He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Brunhilde Johnson-Hoskins of the home; three sons Deacon Fredrick (Myleen) Hoskins of Puerto Princesa, Philippines, Deacon Dedrick (Virginia) Hoskins of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Preston Hoskins of Lawton, Oklahoma; three step-children, Ralph Johnson of Bonney Lake, Washington, Hope (Jonas) Figueroa of Spring Hill, Florida, and Regina (Ed) Stuart of Aransas Pass, Texas; two daughters-in-law, Joanne Hoskins Wesbey of Toano, Virginia and Yvette Chenault-Hoskins of Lawton, Oklahoma; 17 grandchildren;  14 great grandchildren; three sisters Bernice (Samuel) Bates of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Wanda Montaque and Leola (Lymon) Jett both of Monroe, Michigan; and a host of nieces and nephews.