Fred Hamilton Whitmore, Jr., 85, died Monday, November 19, 2012, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Saturday, November 24, 2012, at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, with burial following at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Des Moines. A visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, November 23, at the funeral home.

Fred was born August 4, 1927, in Exira, Iowa, to Fred Hamilton and Elsie Mae Whitmore. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. He retired in 1991 from Sysco Foods as a food broker.

Fred enjoyed working outside in his yard, doing crossword puzzles, and playing solitare. He loved his Lord and communicated with Him by reading his Bible every day.

Fred is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lucretia "Lou" (Wolfe) Whitmore; children, Randall Dean (Tammy), Bradley Mark (Carol), Phillip James (Sheri), Kent Hamilton (Vonnie), and Jane Elizabeth (Claude) Rickerd; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and sister, Joan Poulson.