Fred House

Fred House, a long-time resident of the Northwest, passed away suddenly and unexpected Jan. 21, 2004. He was 56.

Fred was born Sept. 3, 1947, in Cornwall, N.Y., to Mr. and Mrs. Harry House, He was raised in Monroe, N.Y., where he lived through high school.

Following his graduation from Marist College in 1969 Fred joined the Navy. After obtaining his ensign commission, he was assigned to naval Flight Officer’s School and earned his NFO wings of gold. Fred was assigned to Attack Squadron 128, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station as a fleet replacement bombardier-navigator in the A-6 Intruder where he received his advanced training in all-weather low-level attack flying. Upon graduation from VA-128, Fred was assigned to VA-52 Knight Riders aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in the South China Seas, conducting air strikes over Vietnam. Fred completed two combat tours with VA-52 and flew more than 200 combat missions. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, nine individual Air Medals, 19 Strike Flight Air Medals, 3 Navy Commendation Medals with the combat V and numerous other individual, campaign and unit awards.

Following his combat tours, Fred was an instructor in the A-6 Intruder until his resignation from active duty in 1977. Fred continued his Navy connection as a simulator instructor and flight crew trainer at NAS Whidbey Island. He also maintained a photography business until moving from Oak Harbor to Anacortes.

He was employed at Sundowner Products, Inc. of Bothell, as a custom cabinet fabricator. Fred was the acting secretary/treasurer of his neighborhood homeowner’s association. He remained active in the naval aviation community, devoting much of his free time to maintaining the Intruder Association Web site, and contributing to various Navy functions and projects. He is survived by his wife, Annabelle House of Anacortes; three sons, Andrew House of Ellensburg, Phillip Bernhardt-House of Cork, Ireland, and Sherman House of Spokane; daughter, Allison House of Hilo, Hawaii; sister,

Susan Gagliardi of Clermont, Fla. Memorials are suggested to 141019042 c/o Annabelle House Donation Account, “The House Children College Fund,” Whidbey Island Bank, P.O. Box 320, Anacortes, WA 98221. Funeral services were held Jan. 27 at St. Joseph’s Chapel, NAS Whidbey Island. Interment followed at Grand View Cemetery, Anacortes. A reception was held at St. Mary Catholic Church, Anacortes. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes.