Fred Byron Partin of McKinney, Texas passed from this life to his heavenly home on April 4, 2017, at the age of 85. He was born July 26, 1931, to John Bryon Partin and Mable (Bruner) Partin in Temple, Texas. Fred was a graduate of Temple High School. Shortly after graduation, at the age of 17, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He received degrees in Spanish and History from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and continued to be a proud alumni and devoted fan of the SMU Mustangs. Fred worked in insurance for many years and was a teacher in Cumby, North Hopkins and Miller Grove school districts before his retirement in 2000. He married Karen Thurman on March 31, 1991, and they recently celebrated 26 years of marriage. Fred was an avid reader, writer and published poet, as well as a professional ballroom dancer in his younger years. He had a passion for bridge and was a Life Master with the ACBL. Fred was affectionately known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as "BIG" because of his BIG love for everyone and also his 6'4" stature.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Partin, of McKinney, Texas; children, Michelle Partin of Arlington, Texas, Karol Ann DeLong and husband Chris of Nashville, Tennessee, and Thomas Kelty and wife Debbie of McKinney; grandchildren, Kaylee Partin, Zachary Kelty, Makenzie Glenn, Marissa Kelty, Chaney DeLong, Drew DeLong, Mariah Kelty, Makenna Kelty, and Miley Kelty; and four great-grandchildren.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mable Partin, stepson, Mike Kelty, and great-grandson, Jace Glenn.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2017, at First McKinney Baptist Church, 1615 W. Louisiana, McKinney, Texas 75069. Interment is to following at 2:30 p.m. at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Cooper, Texas with military honors. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jace Glenn Memorial Fund for PKD, c/o Guaranty Bank and Trust 919 Gilmer Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482, 903-885-3193.