Fred McCants Peed

Fred McCants Peed passed away peacefully on December 6, 2017. He was born in Albany, Georgia, on July 23, 1936, and, in 1946, moved to Ft. Myers, where his father, through a chain of commercial fish houses along the Gulf Coast, helped establish the state’s seafood industry. Fred graduated from Emory University (1958), where he pledged Sigma Chi, and, amid the Berlin crisis, served in the U.S. Army (1959-62). After a summer driving around the country with a close friend, he attended the University of Florida College of Law (1963) and entered law practice in Orlando. In 1966, he went on a blind date with Nancy Fansher. Last fall, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A civil trial attorney for more than 40 years, Fred began his legal career with Gurney, Gurney & Handley, before forming his own firm. He largely represented plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death suits. Fred repeatedly broke ground in a variety of cases—for instance, in 1979, he won a nearly $1 million settlement for Orange County, after proving negligence in an expansion of the Tangerine Bowl, today’s Camping World Stadium. Fred believed fiercely in supporting those in need, and regularly gave his services to people who could not afford them. During his tenure as president of the Orange County Bar Association (1974/75), he laid the foundation for the area’s Legal Aid Society. Fred helped create the Edgewater High School Foundation, and was active in many other civic organizations, including the Rotary Club of College Park and, having earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a young man, the Boy Scouts of America. He was also dedicated to First United Methodist Church Orlando, where he was married and his children were baptized. He enjoyed hiking the Appalachian Trail and exhorting the Florida Gators, in fair and foul weather. He devoured books of political and military history. He is survived by wife, Nancy; children, Laura Guitar (John), Amy McCullough (Chris), Karen Sutphen (Jeff), and Michael Peed (Andrea); and grandchildren, Emma and Sophia Guitar, Luke and Suzanna McCullough, Jack and Kate Sutphen, and Ocie and Mavis Peed. He is also survived by a sister, Jennifer Rogers (Dave), and her family. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church Orlando, 142 E. Jackson St, Orlando, FL 32801. Donations may be made in Fred’s name to the First United Methodist Church Orlando Capital Fund

Fred McCants Peed

July 23, 1936 - December 6, 2017