Harold Frederick (Fred) Romine's Obituary
Harold Frederick Romine (Fred), born on December 29, 1947, in Nitro, West Virginia, died on December 7, 2024, in Memphis, Tennessee, aged 76. He was the son of Harold Robert and Anna Pauline.
Fred, as his dear family and friends knew him, was always quick with a smile, a warm welcome (and sometimes a tempered curse word or two with a wink). He took deep delight in the joys of family and especially loved his grandchildren Liam and Sydney. Christmas was his favorite time of year, his birthday always following soon after. A kid at heart, he loved giving and receiving presents! He had absolute appreciation of the thoughtfulness of each gift and carefully took his time unwrapping each present, savoring every moment with his family by his side. He’d be sorry to miss it this year!
Fred is survived by his children, Andy Romine (Seattle, WA) and Linsey Lewellyn and his grandchildren, Liam and Sydney (Memphis, TN) as well his brother Bill Romine (Lexington, KY). He was predeceased by his beloved wife Nancy and son Ben. He leaves behind many friends and family who will miss him.
Fred grew up in Nitro, West Virginia, lettering on the high school basketball team as well as playing many other sports and being a part of the band. After high school, he headed to West Virginia Technical Institute for college. Fred loved to play the trumpet and to sing and it’s in the WVT choir where he met the pianist, Nancy Irene Swor, and fell in love.
After college, Fred and Nancy married and moved to Virginia, where Fred worked for the Family Fish House, a seafood restaurant chain. The restaurant industry would carry him and Nancy, and children Andy, then Ben, then Linsey — to Florida, Boston, and finally to Germantown, Tennessee, where he switched to the banking industry to work in Human Resources at Leader Federal S&L and later as an HR consultant. As a consultant, he traveled the country to help school districts in Texas and California as well as Christ Community Healthcare here in Memphis, TN.
Everywhere Fred lived, he made lifelong friends — members of several church choirs; many poker & bridge buddies. Fred especially loved to fish with his cousins and brother, and he played golf in the Men’s Golf Association. He was a member of the Renew Church in Heber Springs, Arkansas and had recently joined the choir and the men’s quartet there. He was immensely proud and happy to have started to sing again, something our family always did together and the way that he had met his wife many years ago.
Fred and Nancy traveled the US, the British Virgin Islands, and to Spain. When Nancy fell ill, Fred dedicated his life to caretaking, but then, as always, their Arkansas home was always open to all, with a ready supply of food, drink, and hospitality. He made time for all the people in his life that he loved.
He traveled often to his daughter’s house in Memphis to spend time with his beloved grandchildren. He was there for every holiday and every one of their birthdays. He always took the time to learn about the people he met in his life, and he did so fiercely with Sydney and Liam. He supported his children and grandchildren in all their endeavors and passions and was eager to share in their losses and their successes.
Fred’s legacy includes a wicked sense of humor and an appreciation of the absurd, his full-hearted belly laughs could be heard for miles. Fred had a big heart and a sensitive soul. He was a spiritual man and loved God, his friends, and his family with his whole being.
Although Fred’s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, we all still feel his spirit. May his memory be a blessing, and may we carry forth his legacy of love, humor and compassion in all that we do. His light will forever shine brightly in our hearts.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fireside Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Reception to follow the service in the Parkside Event Center of Memorial Park Funeral Home.
To view the service online, please click on the link below
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/109876/hash:81270390104B1BB1
Condolences may be sent to the family at his daughter’s home at 2058 Cowden Avenue, Memphis, Tn 38104 and donations can be made to Fred’s memory at Mid-South Food Bank or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
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