Fred J. Southerland

FRED J. SOUTHERLAND ASHEVILLE -- Fred J. Southerland departed this life on Tuesday, August l9, 2008. A private family graveside service was conducted in Brevard by Reverend Keith Thompson of Brevard Davidson River Presbyterian Church. Born in Asheville to Fred J. Southerland, Sr. and Paula Zimmerman Southerland Gregg, he was raised in Brevard and excelled in baseball and football. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in l960, stationed in Newfoundland. Following his military service he began studies in Business Administration at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, graduating in l969. He then attended law school at the University of Tennessee. His career began with a sales position with Cone Mills in New York. He later relocated to Charlotte where his banking and finance career commenced. After rising through the ranks in a division of Barclays Bank, he was recruited to Atlanta to open a new regional office for Security Pacific National Bank's merger and acquisition division. As a Senior Vice President, he steered the Atlanta office as it became the top producing region for the bank. He later joined Shawmut Bank (now Bank of America) as Regional Manager in Atlanta where he enjoyed similar success. Following his banking career, he moved back to Asheville and worked in private investments. An avid golfer since college, he was a member of various golf clubs in Charlotte, Atlanta and Asheville. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Michael Southerland. He is survived by his loving wife Susan, daughter Tracie Coyle and her husband Michael, and grandchildren Lilian, Madeline and Aidan Coyle. West Funeral Home, Weaverville assisted the family. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com