Charles "Fred" Bliss III

Charles “Fred” Bliss III, 91, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. He was born on January 5, 1931 to Charles Fred Bliss, Jr. and Ethyl Mae (Williams) Bliss in Seminole, Oklahoma. Fred graduated from Tahlequah High School with the class of 1949. He was an all-sport letterman being involved in football, basketball and baseball. He was also an Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts and a member of the Order of The Arrow. He graduated West Point Military Academy in 1955 where he played football and was class president. He completed his training at Airborne School and Ranger School. Fred obtained his master’s degree from Rochester University. On July 31, 1955, Fred married Dorothy Koch in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Together they shared over 61 years of life and marriage together. During Fred’s active service in the U.S. Army, he was stationed at Fort Benning, GA, Fort Campbell, KY, West Point, NY, Fort Leavenworth, KS, Rochester, NY, Washington, D.C. and Fort Riley, KS. He served overseas in Iran and Vietnam. He was a highly decorated veteran and received The National Defense Service Medal, Parachute Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a gold star, Armed Forces Honor Medal and many more awards and medals. Upon his retirement in 1974, Dorothy and Fred decided to move to Muskogee, OK, where they made their home. Fred was the general manager at Ready Mix Concrete Company and helped Dorothy at the family shop Viva’s. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and canoeing. He also had a love for reading and history. Fred loved his family very much and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him. Fred was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy Bliss; parents, Judge C.F. Bliss, Jr. and Ethyl Mae Bliss; and brother, Judge Bill Bliss. He is survived by his children, James Alan Bliss and Donna Ann Bliss; his grandchildren, James Curtis Bliss, Stephen “Michael” Hart, Elizabeth Hart, Madeline Jane Hart-Calderon, Daniel Bliss and Danna Bliss; his great-grandchildren, Ty Bliss and Charlie Calderon; brother, Bryce Bliss, MD; sister, Susan Bliss Purkey; and many nieces and nephews. Fred had a special love for animals and rescued many dogs and cats. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to P.A.W.S. of Muskogee at: http://pawsforadoption.com/donations.html. A celebration of Fred’s life will be 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Daniel Grimes officiating. Interment will follow with full military honors presented at Tahlequah City Cemetery.

Charles "Fred" Bliss III

January 5, 1931 - April 26, 2022