Honest, warm, generous, kind, calm, and joyful are only a few the many words to describe Charles Fredrick McBride, who passed away unexpectedly, March 8, 2025. After retiring as Chief Information Officer for the US Federal Courts in Washington, DC, he relocated to Huntsville in 2008, the former home of his deceased wife, Margo Gorman.
‘Fred,’ as he liked to be called, settled into retirement, involving himself with the visual arts, theatre, dance, and many forms of community engagement, including the Rocket City chapter of alumni of Virginia Military Institute. Having spent his childhood traveling the world with his military family, Fred was adept at making friends and adjusting quickly to new experiences and environments. When he wasn’t working as a freelance photographer or as a travel agent, he spent many hours assisting a variety of family and friends with dinners, entertainment, travel, and friendship.
Fred’s entire purpose in life was to make others happy. In that, he succeeded without reservation.
He is survived by his wife, Amy; his son, David McBride (Cassie); four granddaughters; two grandsons; one great-grandson; two brothers; and his honorary French granddaughter, Maud Recoché Hagard. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Catherine McBride Harrison (2010); his parents, AC and Catherine (Jungjohan) McBride, and one brother, Robert McBride.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 2 p.m. at St. John Episcopal Church, Decatur, AL.
