Fred Olen Sapp, 87, fell asleep in Christ on September 20, 2016, after a valiant battle with stomach cancer. His family asks that any memorial gifts made in Fred’s name be given to Asante Hospice, Medford, Oregon. They blessed both Fred and his family with their kindness and care during the last months’ of Fred’s life.

Fred and his beloved wife, Paula, moved to the Rogue Valley with their two young children, Kevin and Karen, in 1959, when Fred accepted the call to pastor the Blessed Hope Fellowship Advent Christian church in Medford. In 1963, Fred and Paula welcomed a second son, Kirk, who has the distinction of being born in the middle of his dad’s Easter sermon. Family love to say Fred took the phone call about the birth, went back to the pulpit and finished the sermon, and then told the church family he had a new son. Though Fred denied the story, he always did so with a grin.

Fred and Paula–working from a foundation of deep faith, humor, and wisdom–loved serving their church family. Blessed with a rich baritone, Fred’s singing touched many as he performed in church and at various organizations. After Paula’s death in 2002, Fred continued to pastor the church until his retirement in 2004.

A bi-vocational pastor, Fred also worked full-time outside of the church. As the Athletic Director at the Medford YMCA, he headed up such programs as the Y Indian Guides, the minibike program for troubled teens, handball/racquet tournaments, summer caravans to Disneyland, and the summer camp program at Diamond Lake. A skilled handball and racquetball player, Fred loved teaching the games as much as competing in them, so when he left the Y he joined Superior Athletic Club as an instructor.

Even after retirement from the pastorate, Fred ministered through sharing song videos on Facebook and on a TV channel at the denominational retirement community in Dowling Park, Florida. But the role that brought Fred the deepest joy was that of husband, father, and grandfather, and family gatherings always overflowed with laughter and the simple delight of being together. While his passing leaves a void in the hearts and lives of those who loved him best (three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren), the faith he imparted to us sustains us as we look forward to seeing him and our mom/grandmother again. As Fred often shared from 1 Peter when he spoke at funerals, “For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children…. So be truly glad, for there is wonderful joy ahead.”