Final Salute

Freddy (Fred) Wayne Cripps, 80, of Greensboro, North Carolina, was welcomed into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday afternoon, May 20, 2026. Having finished his earthly journey, he entered his eternal home in the peace and promise of the faith he held dear throughout his life. In his final moments, Fred was lovingly surrounded by his devoted wife of more than 54 years, Barbara (Mueller) Cripps, and their beloved children and grandchildren.

Born on October 15, 1945, Fred was raised in Blue Springs, a close-knit farming community inrural DeKalb County near Smithville, Tennessee. The values formed in those humble early years remained with him throughout his life, shaping him into a respected business owner, community leader, and man of enduring faith. He was deeply influenced by the loving guidance and steadfast Christian example of his beloved parents, Freddie Hoyte Cripps and Naomi Sue (Underwood) Cripps, whose lives had been tempered by the hardships of the Great Depression and the sacrifices of World War II.

During the height of the Vietnam War, Fred was drafted into military service. He joined the Navy Seabees, serving as a heavy equipment operator with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 121 from 1968 to 1969. Stationed with his battalion at Camp Wilkinson near Phu Bia, Republic of Vietnam, he was part of the Seabees’ mission to build and strengthen infrastructure that supported American and allied forces, including roads, bridges, fuel facilities, and other essential construction projects, in demanding and often dangerous conditions. Like many Seabees, Fred served with quiet courage and steady resolve, always ready to do whatever was needed—helping to build what others relied on to take the fight to the enemy and win.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Fred met Barbara Mueller, a native of Grand Island, Nebraska, who would become the love of his life and his devoted partner for more than five decades. They married soon thereafter and began building a life together marked by love, hard work, and shared purpose. Fred went on to build a distinguished career with Distribution Construction Company, an industry leader in the construction and installation of natural gas pipeline distribution systems. Through his strong work ethic, practical wisdom, and natural leadership abilities, he quickly advanced from equipment operator to foreman and eventually to General Superintendent of the company’s Southeast Region. In January 1995, Fred and Barbara became the sole owners of the company, leading it together with dedication and integrity until its sale in 2014.

Fred was a lifetime member of several professional and civic organizations, including the Masonic Lodge. He was widely respected in the utility construction industry for his leadership, experience, and integrity. Over the decades, he built lasting relationships with colleagues, customers, and industry competitors who valued his sound judgment, practical wisdom, and unwavering commitment to doing what is right. His influence extended well beyond the workplace, and he was known as a man who led by example, earned others’ trust, and carried himself with humility, strength, and quiet confidence.

In addition to his beloved wife, Barbara, Fred is survived by his sons, Kevin T. Cripps and his wife, Kimberly Dawn Cripps, and their daughters, Makenna Shea, Mylena Nicole, and Avalynn Grace; and son, Matthew Caleb Cripps and his wife, Trischa K. Cripps, and their children, Zephaniah, Avner, and Solomon. He is also survived by his younger brother, retired Navy Captain and Chaplain Larry D. Cripps, and his wife, Charlene, along with their seven children and thirteen grandchildren.

Visitation with the Cripps family will be on Wednesday, May 27 from 12:00 until the service time at 2:00 in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Donnie Kelly will officiate and burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, those who choose to do so may make memorial contributions in honor of Fred W. Cripps to Clapps Nursing Center, 5229 Appomattox Road, Pleasant Garden, North Carolina 27313, or to the Alzheimer’s Association. The family is grateful for your kindness and for remembering Fred in this meaningful way.