Frederick Cleveland

Frederick “Fred” Eugene Cleveland died on September 27th at the age of 77. Fred was born on April 6th, 1943 to Iva Jean Cleveland & Frederick Worth Cleveland, in Billings, Montana. He graduated from Billings Senior High school in 1961 and served in the U.S. Navy until 1964. He met Rae Rhodes in high school, and they married in 1963 in Honolulu, where they resided for some time. They had a son, Michael, in 1969 and later divorced. After the Navy Fred discovered his natural talent for sales and became the top national salesman for Lande Furniture Mfg. company. Later he started the “Pillow Palace”, the well-known “Plush Pillow” waterbed and furniture stores, “Wild Woody's” second-hand store, and “The Alley State Info-Bank”, which connected buyers and sellers using an extensive computer database of merchandise. Nothing excited him more than finding something rare or interesting to sell. He later changed the name to “Commercial Information” but continued travelling and connecting customers until he was forced to retire. When he could no longer travel, Fred became a resident of Avantara of Billings. He still loved meeting people and enjoyed talking with those passing through for physical rehabilitation, the permanent residents, and the staff. As the years passed Avantara truly became ‘home' for him. The family sincerely appreciates the care and concern shown to Fred during his years as a resident there, as well as the staff at Riverstone, who provided excellent health care in his later years. Fred was famous for his larger-than-life personality, his stories, and for his love of people. He had a firm faith in God, a generous spirit, and made good friends all around the USA. Fred was preceded in death by his mother Jean Cleveland and his father Fred Cleveland. He is survived by his son Michael, ex-wife Rae Cleveland, sisters Marjorie Nelson, Mavis Fulco, and Cathy Brickner. A ‘Celebration of Life' will be held sometime next year.