Fred Humphreys

Fred Humphreys, 75, of Johnson City, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2006, of brain tumor complications. A renowned band director most recently teaching at Science Hill High School, Fred was in the Hilltopper Band (c/o ?48) and earned a Master of Music degree from ETSC, with continuing Doctoral work at Vandercook College and Florida Atlantic University. His career began at Etowah (TN) High School, then he was recruited to establish the outstanding Washington County unified band program in 1953, and upon moving to Okeechobee, Florida, in 1957, continued to produce 'All-Superior' rated bands from 1956 until his final performance at Science Hill last April. Other band programs included Deerfield Beach Jr./Sr. High, Nova High in Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach Gardens High, all recognized by leading educators and composers as exemplary in America. Fred was President of the Florida Bandmasters Association and nominated to the Florida Bandmaster?s Hall of Fame in 1998. He was a member of the National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu honorary music fraternity, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and was granted honorary lifetime memberships in the American School Band Directors Assn. and the John Philip Sousa Society of Japan. Educational author William Miller deemed him 'Mystical Fred' for his uncanny ability to hear and teach complex harmony. Fred was very active as a state level music adjudicator and clinician, serving throughout the southeast. He also taught in Sasebo and Yakota, Japan, and Karlsruhe and Schweinfurt, Germany. He was an avid world traveler who shared that love with many of his bands, touring with his groups throughout Europe and the Americas. His bands were broadcast over Radio Brussels, Amsterdam Television and Telenova Mexico. Preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Wilma Humphreys; and daughter, Carol, Fred is survived by his wife, Winona; son, Mark and daughter-in-law Liliana; sister, Nancy McPeak; brother, Johnny and his wife, Peggy; and brother Sam and his wife, Joan; and extended family. A memorial service will be held at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church at 8 p.m. Monday, with visitation from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sunrise Cemetery, Bluff City. Rev. Carol Wilson will officiate, and music will be provided by the Science Hill H.S. Wind Ensemble.