Frederick Gardner Hewitt, Jr., 79, passed away on April 23, 2024, in Largo, FL. He was born April 7, 1945, in Pensacola, FL, the son of Frederick Gardner Hewitt, Sr. and Ruth Esther Farr.
Fred graduated from Melbourne High School, class of 1963. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Air Force in the Philippines and with the 366th Security Police in Vietnam.
Upon his return, he worked briefly with the Melbourne Police Department before moving on to the Secret Service and White House Police before settling with and retiring from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In 1971, Fred married Aurita Roman, and in 2023, they celebrated 52 years of marriage. Together, they traveled the world, visiting over 100 countries and setting foot on all seven continents. Fred enjoyed watching movies and reading countless books. His greatest joy, however, was simply talking with family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger sister, Cindy, and younger brother, Thomas. Surviving in addition to his wife, Aurita, are his oldest son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and the former Jessica Sanders, of Palmetto, FL; his youngest son, Scott, also of Palmetto, FL; his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Nick and Leah Jeppe, of Manhattan, KS; his sister, Beverly Lopez, of Simi Valley, CA, and countless friends around the world.
Fred will be laid to rest at Sarasota National Cemetery on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 10:30 A.M., 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241. A Mass will be held in his memory at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10:30 A.M., 3100 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. Those who wish to remember Fred in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the United Services Organization (USO), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Arrangements are being handled by Brown and Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209.
