Dennes Roy Frederick was born September 26, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest son of Donald R. and Faye Teach Frederick. He died May 24, 2025, at the age of 80 in his home in Danville, Kentucky. Dennes moved with his parents to McPherson, Kansas, as a toddler and graduated from McPherson High School in 1962. He spent one year at McPherson College before transferring to the University of Kansas, where he and a mix of hometown and college friends formed a rhythm and blues band called The Fabulous Flippers. The Flippers traveled extensively throughout the Midwest in the 60’s and 70’s, also performing in Lawrence at the Red Dog Inn, inviting fans to join them for a “Flipper Dance.” Many fans looked forward to dancing to the Flippers’ version of “The Harlem Shuffle”. Later the Flippers were inducted into the Kansas, the Iowa, and the Nebraska Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. The band reunited in 2003 to play for the inauguration celebration of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
Dennes moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1970, to pursue a career in music as well as to complete a degree in history. While attending MTSU he met and married the former Sheron Wilee. They performed together as a duo called Sheron and Fred, but eventually divorced. Moving on from the music profession, Dennes began working in Nashville as a chemist. Dennes married Vicki Latimer in 2008. They were the parents to many well-loved dogs and cats over the years.
Denny had a gift for finding and sharing the humor in everyday situations. Family gatherings at a campsite or the family home in McPherson became a delightful adventure when Denny was there. We will all miss the vibrant spark he brought to the campfire, as well as his appreciation of the fine arts, love of nature, but most of all, his wonderful smile.
Dennes was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother-in-law, James Ralston.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki, and her son Brad Latimer, Knoxville, Tennessee, her daughter Ashley Fletcher of Nashville, Tennessee, and seven grandchildren. Other survivors include his siblings, Susan Frederick Ralston, Joel (Diana) Frederick, and Carol Frederick (Brian) McFall, all of Lawrence.
Nieces and nephews include Meghan Ralston Adams (Nick) of Lenexa, KS, Natalie Ralston Makenna (Chris Santos) of Los Angeles, CA, Amanda Frederick (Ryan Stander) of Lawrence, Joshua Frederick of Dallas, TX, Allison McFall of Lawrence, KS, and Mallory McFall of Kansas City, MO.
Great-nieces include Olivia and Phoebe Adams of Lenexa, KS, and Cordelia Stander of Lawrence, KS.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Clinton Lake Overlook Shelter #1 on Friday, June 13, from 5-7 PM. Burial will be in Lawrence, KS.
Donations to AFTD (Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration) would be appreciated.
Our prayers are with the family and the celebration of his life. He will be greatly missed.
Susan, Joel, Carol, and Vicki,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother and husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families.
Judy Frederick & Dan Klopfenstein
Fred was my best friend while I was in the Flippers. I taught him to fish and we would find a lake or pond in the town we were playing and spend the night after our gig catfishing . Great bass player, we recorded “Something Tangible”while I was in the band. Proud of that. RIP buddy !!!
Susan and Vicki, my brother Vance just told me about Den. I posted his obituary on our class website and added this comment. I thought you might like to see it.
Den was my closest friend from our church’s nursery Sunday school through high school. He was enormously entertaining, and we were constantly in trouble in church and school because of it. He would make me burst out laughing at the most inappropriate time, like the middle of the preacher’s prayer. I always got the blame because I was the one making the big disturbance. We were competitors as much as friends, in sports and for girls. He was a gifted athlete and looked like a golden Adonis. I don’t know how I thought there was a contest. I regret hardly seeing him since high school.
Joel, Susan, and Carol, We are sorry about your brother’s passing.
Susan, I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. Reading that he was a member of The Fabulous Flippers really caught my eye as we danced to them numerous times in Dodge City. They were really good! My thoughts and prayers are with you, Susan!