Fred Stage

Resided in Rapid River, MI
Died October 30, 2024

Rapid River, MI

Fred Stage died at the age of 80 after a life filled with family, teaching, and time spent outdoors. Born in Gulliver, MI, to Susie (née Prater) and Francis “Ted” Stage, Fred grew up with his siblings Charles, Patricia, Ted, Susan, and Teri.

Fred married his Stephenson High School sweetheart, Arda Corey, and they spent 58 years together. They raised four children — Paul (Karen), Doug (Laura), Julie (Garin), and Todd — and welcomed eight grandchildren: Morgan, Cory, Adam, Adrienne, Autumn, Joey, Gavin, and Kiera. They also had the joy of meeting their first great-grandchild, Elliott, earlier this year. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many brothers and sisters-in-law. Fred was preceded in death by his son, Doug, sister, Patricia, brother,Ted, sisters-in-law, Jan Corey and Patricia Stage and brother-in-law, Dennis Laurin. Family was very important to him and he enjoyed every holiday, wedding, birthday, and activity he could attend.

After working his way through Central Michigan University as a summer deck hand on a Great Lakes ore boat, Fred began a teaching career that would define much of his life. He taught at Munising High School for five years before moving to Rapid River, where he taught government and social studies for 28 years. Fred was also a dedicated coach and athletic director, leading teams in basketball, track, cross-country, and football. He took the boys’ varsity basketball team to the state semi-finals in 1980 and guided the girls’ varsity track team to multiple Upper Peninsula State Final Championships. Fred cared deeply about his students and appreciated hearing from and about them after graduation. He retired in 2000.

Outside of school, Fred loved spending time outdoors whether it was fishing, kayaking, or scoping out the best spot for a blind. He had a passion for hunting, especially whitetail. Deer season seemed to require year-round preparation and he spent as much time at camp as he could get away with.

In remembrance of Fred, his name will be added to the Doug Stage Memorial Scholarship, a fund created for graduating Rapid River students. Any donations made in lieu of flowers will be forwarded to the scholarship. Electronic contributions may be made at https://www.cfup.org/donate-now. Please add “Fred Stage” in the notes.

Family will receive friends on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 3:00 until 5:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Closing Prayers will conclude the visitation at 5:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM with visitation 1 hour prior at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Rapid River. Rev. Fr. William Ssozi is officiating. Fred will be laid to rest in the Stephenson Cemetery. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Stage family.

20 Tributes for “Fred Stage”

    My condolences and heartfelt sorrow go out to the entire Stage family. Losing any family member is very difficult, but you must always hold on to the good memories and the great times that were had.

    Stage family,

    We are so sorry for your loss. We know Fred is in a better place and is experiencing the Lords promises. This knowledge is comforting but doesn’t mean we don’t morn our losses. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Love,

    The Griffis Family

    Mr. Stage was my favorite teacher when I was in school in Rapid River, it’s where I began my love of government.

    Fred Stage will always be an icon of Rapid River High School. He was an excellent family man, teacher, coach, and hunter as stories will be told.
    His funeral being held on Opening Day of Deer Season is his “Last Laugh” exit. He was a role model of integrity, honesty, and the list goes on.
    Prayers for his family during this hard time.

    Jane and I are so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. I am glad I had the chance to get to know him. He was a great man.

    I want to let Mr. Stage’s family know that he was an excellent teacher and advisor for the class of 1968 in Munising, Michigan. He came to Mather High School in Munising for our senior year and was our class advisor and taught Government. When I heard from a classmate that he had passed I had to see if I could find out more. I didn’t know how long he was in Munising because I left after high school. He was my favorite teacher and was very involved with our class. We have so many great memories. I remember him playing softball with us at our senior class picnic and he joined in and we had so much fun. I have connected with a few classmates and they also said he was their favorite teacher. I just want you to know that Mr. Stage was an inspiration to us! He will always be remembered as such a great teacher and inspirational person.

    Mr. Stage was such a pinnacle member of Rapid River. I will never forget when he was teaching me how to drive. We were by the police station in Gladstone, and he yelled really loudly for me to go at the stop sign, when a car was coming. A lesson learned not to listen to the passengers in the vehicle as he stomped on the brakes on his side. He was an excellent teacher, organized, expected the best and kind. He was one of my favorites. I hope he is at peace. He will be missed.

    Mr. Stage was such an important influence on the lives of students at Rapid River High School. I have so many memories that involve him. He was always a role model to me….strict, but sure knew how to still have fun. I model much of my interaction with students today in his same fashion.
    Prayers to the family.

    He will always be Mr. Stage to me, the best teacher I ever had including grad school. He had a tough exterior, but he had heart and cared about his students. I try to live up to his example when I’m in the classroom. May he now roam the great hunting grounds in heaven with Doug.

    Fred, my best friend. His love for Arda and his family, and his big heart for everyone he met was so admirable. An example comes to mind when we worked at a Service Station while attending Central Mi University. We closed at midnight but some guy from out of town needed help with his car. Fred helped him until 3 am at no charge. I was blessed to have a friend like Fred. He and I were Best Man at our respective weddings. What a wonderful person in all ways imaginable.

    Mr Stage a name that has been a part of our stories from our childhood, you were our teacher and coach…and Tom’s neighbor. Mr Stage was bigger than life as he brought the Rockets downstate in 1980, that year was so exciting as a student fan. I bet no one can’t help thinking of Mr Stage when you hear those two iconic songs from Queen “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions”. You were Tom’s coach in basketball, my coach in track and I felt lucky to take stats for the basketball team. I loved government class and starting my day listening to Paul Harvey. On “senior skip day” government was my first class and I actually showed up in class, I didn’t want to disappoint Mr Stage, it was track season and he was my coach. Mr Stage was a great influencer in coaching and could give you the confidence to believe in yourself, he knew when we were capable of more. There are those that impact lives and Mr Stage was one of them. We send our heartfelt condolences to the whole Stage family and please know Mr Stage will live fondly on in our memories too. “Class of 1983”

    Mr. Stage was the best. Great Teacher,kind and always friendly and setting good examples for students and his family. Our sincere condolences for all of his family. He will surely be missed by all

    So sorry to hear of his passing. I am very fortunate to have had him for a teacher. I always looked up to him. Wonderful person glad to have known him.

    Rest in peace Mr. Stage. I remember the time we spent ice fishing, rabbit hunting and trout fishing in Canada with my father Bernard Olson. As a teenager when I knew you best, those memories have lasted throughout my lifetime. Thank you for time and kindness back in the late 70’s. You will not be forgotten.

    Very sorry to hear of Mr. Stage’s passing. He was always a kind man & cared about his students. He was one of my favorite teachers.

    My condolences to his family.

    Stacy Busch
    Class of 1985

    My condolences to Arda, Paul, Doug, Julie and Todd, and the rest of the family. My memories of Fred are so many:
    * Listening to Paul Harvey in Government class every day! Years later I would happen to catch Paul Harvey by chance and listen.
    * Taking boys’ basketball stats for all four years of high school for him. Lots of good games!
    * Working the track meets for a few years when Mr. Stage was Athletic Director, as well.
    * Seeing him on Sundays with his family at church. He was a great family man!

    He was definitely one of my favorite teachers.
    Class of 1982

    Mr. Stage a favorite of class of 1968. Karen Aken and I made cherry cobbler after a basketball game and invited him to come for a piece and he came. He asked us to accompany his wife to basketball games as he was worried about her driving alone.
    They lived at the Gerou trailer park and he had this old truck, it was homecoming and he said we can paint his truck, and we did. I don’t think he thought we would do it. I think it was wash off paint but Arda said he opened the door saw his truck and said. Oh. My. Truck!!!

    My condolences to Arda and all the Stage Family, Fred was a class individual who’s main focus were the kids he taught and coached. He was an even better man. Rest assured he is in a better place.

    I’m so sorry 2 hear of Mr stage passing. I remember many talks with him when I attended rapid river school. He was always friendly n made me laugh. He will b missed dearly. My condolences 2 the family

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