Frederic Gordon (Fred) Golding of Mesquite, Texas died July 1, 2026 at the age of 90. He was born on April 18, 1936, in San Antonio, the only child of John Eldredge Golding and Mildred Pauline (McCoy) Golding. Fred attended numerous elementary schools in Texas, Kentucky, Kansas, and California while his father was an officer in the US Army during World War II. The family moved to Waco after the war, and Fred graduated from Waco High School in 1954. He was a proud member of the Texas A&M College Class of 1958, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. Fred served briefly on active duty in the US Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, and then spent 8 years in the active reserves in Dallas.

While at A&M, Fred met his future wife Texann Esten, the daughter of a faculty member at the college. They were married at the chapel on the A&M campus on June 4, 1960, and were partners in marriage for 66 years. Fred had started as an employee at Otis Elevator Company in June 1959. The young couple lived in El Paso and Dallas before settling in Mesquite in 1965, where they raised their two daughters, Lynn and Lisa. Fred retired from Otis in February of 2000, spending almost 41 years with the company. He learned the elevator business from the ground up, starting as an elevator installation helper and then adjuster. He entered management and advanced quickly, eventually becoming Dallas Construction Supervisor, Regional Staff Construction Superintendent, and finally North American Manager of Safety and Environment. After retirement he continued to consult with other firms on elevator installation and safety.

Fred was active in his church and community. He was a lifetime Southern Baptist, serving in numerous church positions, including chairman of the pastor search committee. He taught Sunday School to first graders at Town East Baptist Church and to high schools boys at First Baptist Church Mesquite. He was the program chair and then president of the Tosch Elementary School PTA and the assistant coach of his daughter’s soccer team, the Dirt Squirts. He also taught marksmanship to boys through the Royal Ambassadors program. When his family was young, Fred enjoyed jogging, fishing, camping, and water skiing, keeping a boat on Lake Ray Hubbard for several years. He enjoyed spending time in his workshop throughout his life and was known for his attention to detail and keeping his tools and cabinets immaculately organized.

Fred is survived by his wife, Texann Golding of Mesquite; daughter Lynn Smith and husband Joe of Conroe; daughter Lisa Schulze and husband Mark of Houston; and grandchildren Shelby Smith of Conroe, Ryan Schulze of Austin, and Matthew Schulze of Iowa City, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to the organization of your choice.