Richmond Stanfield "Rick" Frederick, Jr.

Richmond Stanfield “Rick” Frederick, Jr., age 77, of Forest City, NC and Punta Gorda, FL, passed away on March 22, 2025, at Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

Rick was born July 23, 1947, in Danville, Virginia, to Richmond Stanfield Frederick (1918-1983) and Sallie Womack Moorefield Frederick (1921-1971). He grew up in Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina, where he attended Bartlett Yancey Elementary School and graduated in 1965 from Bartlett Yancey High School ("BYHS"). At BYHS Rick played basketball and football, was sports editor of the high school newspaper, and once flooded the science lab (under the tutelage of Miss Marion Powell). He was expelled two days for this event, which expulsion he wore as a badge of honor.

Rick graduated from the University of North Carolina (Class of 1971) with a BA degree in English. He then obtained a JD degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law (Class of 1974), graduating near the top of his law school class (Order of the Coif; Summa Cum Laude; Law Review). Rick's entire professional career was as a lawyer in Ford Motor Company's Office of the General Counsel (Dearborn, MI), from which he retired in 1999 as Assistant General Counsel. Working at Ford included six years in England where two of his sons (John Lawrence Frederick and William Bradley Frederick) were born. He was an active member of the Michigan State Bar for over fifty years.

In addition to his parents, He was predeceased by a son William Bradley Frederick.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Mary Jo Dagwell Frederick, sons Richmond Stanfield Frederick III and John Lawrence Frederick (Heather), grandson Navin Naoki Frederick, and sisters Mona Diane Frederick and Virginia Joyce Frederick Horne.

After retirement Rick and Mary Jo moved to their home in Punta Gorda, FL, where, as members of local yacht clubs they were active boaters. They also spent time at "Two Bears" -- their beloved farm in western North Carolina where Rick played gentleman farmer.

In retirement Rick became the first webmaster for the Caswell County Historical Association ("CCHA"), creating the CCHA's award-winning website. Over the years he developed and maintained several additional websites that document the history of Caswell County and the genealogy of its people. He also authored for the CCHA the well-received book: "Images of America: Caswell County" (2009). These resources remain a tribute to Rick's love of the county in which he grew up and his dedication to preserve that county's history.

With accordance to Rick’s wishes there will be no formal services conducted.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pardee Cancer Center, 561 Fleming St., Hendersonville, NC 28739 (828) 233-2700