Frederick Joseph Ouren

October 5, 1931 – April 27, 2026

They say you only live once, but if you do it like Fred Ouren, once is more than enough. Born on October 5, 1931, in Bellingham, Washington, to Fred and Freda Ouren, he passed away at the age of 94, in Plano, Texas. He lived a life that could fill several books.

A proud veteran, he served his country in the early 1950s. Family and friends will forever cherish the image of him in Germany, jazz trumpet in hand, playing with the soul and rhythm that defined his younger years. In his later chapters, he was rarely seen without his commemorative service ball cap, a badge of honor he wore with quiet, steady pride. Fred's life was a tale of two halves.

After spending his first forty years mastering "bad boy behavior," he found a new path. In April 1974, he walked into the room of Alcoholics Anonymous and began a journey that would define the rest of his 94 years. This April, he celebrated a monumental 52 years of sobriety. He wasn't ashamed to let others know that it was through the grace of God, he was saved from certain death, and that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior, and his 'higher power'. He didn't just stay sober; he lived sober, traveling to present at meetings, sponsoring countless other souls, on their own quests, and building a brotherhood of lifelong friends within the AA community.

Fred was in on the exciting beginnings of the computer field. He taught many early computer science classes to colleagues and worked in IT management for many years. After retirement, he formed his own computer business, to stay-at-it.

His family is immensely proud of the man he chose to become. He loved life, he loved a good joke, and he loved the "wild ride" he was on. Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his younger brother, Rod; his wives Joan Taylor and Gloria Ouren; his eldest daughter, Christy Manolopoulos; his son Fred, and a daughter-in-law Diane Dalesio.

His legacy of laughter and resilience lives on through his wife, Emily; his daughters, Renata (Stan) Harrod, Heidi (Cindy) Ouren, and JimaLee (Mark) Painter; his stepchildren, Yvette, and Kyle; and many, many grandchildren..

Known for a wit that never quit, Fred was always ready with a joke. He'd often ask if you knew what a 'wok' was, only to delight in the eye-rolls when he revealed it was just 'something you thwow at a wabbit.' He lived to be 94.

Fred's legacy is a reminder to us all: laugh often, love deeply, serve others, and never forget to stop and smell the roses along the way.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held:

Saturday - May 16, 2026, 1PM

Prestoncrest Church of Christ

6022 Prestoncrest Ln

Dallas, Tx 75230

In lieu of flowers, donations to Christian Works for Children are appreciated (5440 Harvest Hill Rd, #140 Dallas, TX 75230)

https://christian-works.org/donate/