Fred Stage

RAPID RIVER — Fred Stage died at the age of 80 after a life filled with family, teaching, and time spent outdoors. Born in Gulliver, Mich., to Susie (née Prater) and Francis “Ted” Stage, Fred grew up with his siblings Charles, Patricia, Ted, Susan, and Teri.

Fred married his Stephenson High School sweetheart, Arda Corey, and they spent 58 years together. They raised four children — Paul (Karen), Doug (Laura), Julie (Garin), and Todd — and welcomed eight grandchildren: Morgan, Cory, Adam, Adrienne, Autumn, Joey, Gavin, and Kiera. They also had the joy of meeting their first great-grandchild, Elliott, earlier this year. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many brothers and sisters-in-law. Fred was preceded in death by his son, Doug; sister, Patricia; brother, Ted; sisters-in-law, Jan Corey and Patricia Stage and brother-in-law, Dennis Laurin. Family was very important to him and he enjoyed every holiday, wedding, birthday, and activity he could attend.

After working his way through Central Michigan University as a summer deck hand on a Great Lakes ore boat, Fred began a teaching career that would define much of his life. He taught at Munising High School for five years before moving to Rapid River, where he taught government and social studies for 28 years. Fred was also a dedicated coach and athletic director, leading teams in basketball, track, cross-country, and football. He took the boys’ varsity basketball team to the state semi-finals in 1980 and guided the girls’ varsity track team to multiple Upper Peninsula State Final Championships. Fred cared deeply about his students and appreciated hearing from and about them after graduation. He retired in 2000.

Outside of school, Fred loved spending time outdoors whether it was fishing, kayaking, or scoping out the best spot for a blind. He had a passion for hunting, especially whitetail. Deer season seemed to require year-round preparation and he spent as much time at camp as he could get away with.

In remembrance of Fred, his name will be added to the Doug Stage Memorial Scholarship, a fund created for graduating Rapid River students. Any donations made in lieu of flowers will be forwarded to the scholarship. Electronic contributions may be made at https://www.cfup.org/donate-now. Please add “Fred Stage” in the notes.

Family will receive friends on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 3 until 5 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Closing Prayers will conclude the visitation at 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Rapid River. Rev. Fr. William Ssozi is officiating. Fred will be laid to rest in the Stephenson Cemetery. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Stage family. To offer an online message of sympathy please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.