Honoring a Life of Service: Remembering Fred Huskey

The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center honors the life and legacy of Fred Huskey, an 83-year-old Chattanooga resident, Vietnam veteran, and dedicated volunteer who passed away on April 2, 2026. Fred Huskey lived a life defined by service—both in uniform and within his community.

Born on July 17, 1942, in Seymour, Tennessee, Fred was raised in a loving family and went on to serve his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. That commitment to service never left him.

After returning home, Fred pursued higher education at the University of Tennessee and built a career in Human Resources. Those who knew Fred remember him first for his character—his faith, his warmth, and his unwavering dedication to others.

A devoted husband to his wife Sandra for 59 years, a proud father and grandfather, and a man deeply rooted in his faith, Fred was an active member of Brainerd Hills Baptist Church for many years. 

That same spirit of service extended to his involvement with the Vietnam Veterans of America, Local Chapter 203, and to his work as a volunteer at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

Fred believed deeply in honoring those who served and ensuring their stories were not forgotten. His presence at the Heritage Center was marked not just by his time, but by his genuine passion for history and connection.

He had a deep appreciation for American military history, family genealogy, the Smoky Mountains, Native American culture, and Winchester firearms—but more than anything, he loved people. Fred never met a stranger. He welcomed conversation, shared stories freely, and left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

Fred is survived by his wife, Sandra Espy Huskey; his children, Steven Huskey and Jill Hoss (Bryan); his grandchildren, Reagan Edwards, Grant Edwards, Campbell Hoss, and Charlotte Hoss; and a wide circle of extended family and friends who will carry his memory forward.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at 1:30 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery, with Rev. Mark Smith officiating. The family will receive friends earlier that day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Fred’s memory to the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. It is a fitting tribute to a man who believed deeply in honoring service, preserving history, and building connections between generations.

Fred Huskey’s life reminds us that legacy is not built in a single moment—it is shaped over time through consistent acts of service, kindness, and commitment.

At the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, we are proud to have known him, and we remain committed to carrying forward the values he lived every day.

To donate to the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center in Fred’s memory, please visit: https://secure.mohhc.org/forms/donate/