Fred Vail Colby

Alfred Vail Colby, MD, age 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 12, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, in Arlington, Texas. Born and raised in Kewanee, Illinois, he served in the army medical corps for two years and later married the love of his life, Ruth VanderArk Colby, while in medical school. Fred, as he was affectionately known, graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School and began his practice in family medicine in Geneseo, Illinois. After a move to Muscatine, Iowa, he and his family finally came to Arlington, Texas where he greatly enjoyed practicing family medicine and where he lived out the rest of his days. An avid runner, Fred could be seen jogging around his local neighborhood park every afternoon for many years. He relished history, science and going to museums. He was known for taking long road trips with his wife and four children simply to end up at a museum in another state. His children provided him with eighteen grandchildren, all of whom will fondly remember him taking them to the park, sharing his ice cream, and generously handing out popsicles on the back porch. He was deeply touched by the teaching of his group at Bible Study Fellowship and also at Pantego Bible Church. Generous with kind words and a hearty laugh, he was known for a twinkle in his eye and a newspaper in hand. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Vail Colby and Helen Johnson Colby; and his brother, Bill Colby. Fred is survived by his wife, Ruth; his four children, Kathleen Decker, Kirsten Wiggers, Ethan Colby and Megan McCavit, along with their spouses, Jim Decker, Kirk Wiggers, Sarah Colby and Tim McCavit; and all of his eighteen grandchildren, Mason, Caleb, Shane, Cole, Grant, Katie, Eva, Miles, Everett, Brady, Miller, Tate, Lily, Henry, Lydia, Ruthie, Issac, and Max. He is also survived by his brother, David Colby and wife, Regina; and his brother Bill's wife, Norma Colby. He will always be loved and remembered by those who knew him. Memorials may be made to Bible Study Fellowship or Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center. "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." I Corinthians 2:9 Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233