Lt. Col. Frederick A. Locke

Lt. Col. Frederick A. Locke, U.S. Marine Corps Retired, of Lehigh Acres, died Jan. 25, 2009 in Fort Myers. He was born in Kearny, N.J. on March 6, 1932. He graduated from Bucknell University with a bachelor of science degree in commerce and finance. While a student Locke was named to the 1952 Olympic soccer team and was also named to the second team All-American squad.

Locke served the marines as a helicopter pilot. He commanded two Marine squadrons. He received numerous awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross a Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, two Purple Hearts, the Combat Action Award, the Vietnamese Gold Cross of Gallantry for heroism, a White House Service Badge, and the Presidential Service Medal.

He served as a pilot and co-pilot in the administrations of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson. He also served as Mrs. kennedy’s personal pilot.

Following his retirement from service, he established the Marine Corps JROTC program in Henderson, Nev., where he achieved the distinction of operating the most outstanding program in the country.

He also established a regional/ commuter airline serving as the president and director of operations.

Later he served as the president of development consultants. During this period he directed the building of two major outpatient clinics in Las Vegas, Nev. He was also a former board member of the Westar Corp. and of Westar Medical Inc.

For his achievements in Nevada, President Jimmy Carter awarded Locks a certificate for outstanding community achievement.

When he moved to Lehigh Acres, Locke continued to be active in the community. He was a two-time past-president of the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres, a Paul Harris Fellow and a benefactor of the Rotary Foundation.

He served as the treasurer and finance chairman of the Community Health Association.

Additionally, he established and directed the annual Toys for Toys drive in Lehigh, collecting and distributing 4,000 toys annually.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary Ann Locke. Also surviving are six children and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Lee Boulevard Baptist Church at 3107 Lee Blvd., in Lehigh Acres at 1 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2009.

Locke will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.