Frederic “Fred, Pop, or Number 3" Thomas Krebs Jr was born November 8, 1936, to Frederic and Elsie (Leuschen) Krebs, in Columbus, Nebraska. Fred departed this life and met the Supreme Commander on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 85 years young. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1954. After graduation he enlisted in the United State Marine Corps. After serving four years in the Marine Corps Fred attended college at the University of Colorado. While attending college he met Paula Hagan and on January 31, 1959, Fred was united in marriage to Paula. To this union two children were born: Frederic “Fritz” Thomas IV and Margaret “Meg” Lyn. After separating from active duty in the Marine Corps Fred continued to be in the Marine Reserves and completed 37 years as a proud Marine however the Marine Corps was in his blood, so he joined the Marine Corps League upon his retirement from the Marine Reserves. Fred served in just about every office of the League including Detachment Commandant and always looked forward to the yearly convention. He traveled far and wide attending conventions. While serving in the Marine Reserves he became employed at Central Airlines as an International Customs Freight Agent. During his career of working in the airline industry he saw many changes which made him essentially employed by Frontier Airlines and Continental Airlines. After a long and successful career in the airline industry he retired in 2001. Other than his children, sports were his passion. He decided to enjoy his retirement by following college and pro sports. If you needed or wanted a stat, then Pop was the man to call. If you wanted to know about Dorothy Lynch salad dressing or pretty much any history then Pop was the man to call or so sayeth his Granddaughter. If you needed a laugh, Pop was always a man with a witty comment or joke in just about every situation. The only time Pop could not pull your leg was when his pipe was in his mouth ― that pipe just could not stay still as he tried to stifle a giggle of his own.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Frederic and Elsie; his daughter Meg in 2022 and a granddaughter Jordyn Nichole in 2013. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his son Fritz and daughter in law Kimberly aka Sunflower; granddaughter Halie and husband AJ Forbes and many friends.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 4, 2022, at the Atwood Baptist Church, with burial in Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials may be made to the Atwood Baptist Church or Rawlins County Rural Fire and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com