Fred Keith Haston fell asleep in death on October 23, 2026. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe Herman and Fannie Cruise; John Taylor and Josephine Haston; his parents, Fred M. and Reba Haston; and his brother, Eugene C. Haston.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Norine Haston; his daughters, Pam Haston (Jerry May) and Dana Crouch (Ricky); his sons, Wendell Haston (Glenda) and Stephen Haston (Julie); five grandchildren, Christopher Crouch (Amber), Jessica Taylor (Robert), Matthew Crouch (JaQuinta), Courtney Haston Spresser (CJ), and Taylor Haston (Stefany); 13 great-grandchildren; his sister, Elaine Graves; his sister-in-law, Sheila Haston NeJame; sister-in-law Janet Kieschnick, brother-in-law Pete Johnson and thirteen nieces and nephews.
Born on December 6, 1936, Fred Haston grew up in a home full of love and spiritual guidance. His parents, Fred M. and Reba Haston, were baptized as Jehovah’s Witness when Fred was very young and instilled a strong love of Jehovah and the Christian brotherhood into him, his brother Gene and his sister Elaine. Fred watched them serve Jehovah faithfully and made his own dedication to Jehovah on August 17,1956. By this time, he had already been standing up for his faith for two years by appealing his classification as “fit for military service.” He diligently reported to the draft board every month for six years, appealing his classification and giving a powerful witness for Jehovah until he was finally designated a conscientious objector.
A few days before his baptism, Fred made another life changing dedication. On August 14, 1956, he married Norine Deal. Over time their family grew to a party of six with the arrivals of Pam, Dana, Wendell and Stephen. Fred was always focused on family. Fred, Gene and Elaine always made sure their children were surrounded by aunts and uncles, and cousins. Evidence of this deep family bond was recently shown when everyone gathered for Fred and Norine’s 70th wedding anniversary. What a powerful example of love for each other and reliance on Jehovah all these many years!
The Haston home was one of hospitality. Fred and Norine welcomed brothers and sisters into their home, many times providing shelter or food for those in need of comfort and help. During one convention, they welcomed a spiritual sister with five daughters to stay with them, despite already having three children of their own. Fred found so much fulfillment and joy in welcoming brothers into his home, for a meal, some storytelling, or encouragement when needed. Most memorable were Fred’s Mongolian BBQs. After crafting his own round flat-iron grill, he would invite friends and family to bring their favorite ingredients and gather in the backyard of the Haston home, where he prepared fresh Mongolian style BBQ with his signature touch.
As a young father, Fred worked as an apprentice at Key Manufacturing where he learned the tool and die trade. In 1963, he went into business with his cousin and friend Raymond Sanders and established S & H Tool & Die in Hendersonville. Hard work and success allowed him to sell his share of the company at the age of 38, freeing him to spend more time pursuing theocratic interests. Later, he put his skills in the trade back to work at Lakeside Machine with his brother and best friend, Gene.
At a young age he was appointed an elder and had many responsibilities in the congregation. He served as Food Overseer for many years and served on the Hospital Liaison Committee since its start up in Nashville in 1987. This was a particularly fitting assignment. Before he pursued work in the tool and die trade, Fred had started medical school. It became apparent, however, that as a doctor he would be expected to give patients blood transfusions and his conscience would not allow it. With Jehovah’s help, through the Liaison Committee he was able to assist countless brothers and sisters navigate the healthcare system and maintain their integrity.
Fred and Norine also had the opportunity to travel to International Conventions in the Far East, Australia, Poland, and Russia, witnessing the unity of Jehovah’s worldwide brotherhood. They were also able to travel to Israel with a group of friends, where along their tours they would stop to read the Bible accounts related to the locations. Being an avid archivist, collector, videographer, editor and director of home movies, he kept hours of film and pictures of their travels around the world. After trips there would always be a watch party to share the experience with others. With age, traveling became difficult. Despite the challenges, one more trip had to be planned. In November of 2019, Fred and Norine were able to travel with family and friends to see the Bethel facilities at Warwick, Wallkill and Patterson. Despite multiple wheelchairs and special accommodations, every leg of the trip ran smoothly. It was the powerful spiritual boost Fred needed to endure the coming isolation and limitations of the COVID -19 pandemic.
While these experiences built him up spiritually, he was still well aware of his own imperfections and flaws. Thoughts of self-doubt fueled deep anxiety and caused him to struggle for a time. He understood the pain and depression of this system of things. But Fred found comfort in the scriptures that allowed him to maintain his close personal relationship with Jehovah and care for both his family and responsibilities in the Christian congregation. No doubt he was able to bring comfort to many with the same struggles.
There are too many ways to describe Fred, too many different roles he played in our lives to list them all. He was the devoted brother to Gene, many of us cannot think of one without the other. He was a comfort and support to his sister Elaine throughout her life. He was the quintessential golfer, hitting thousands if not a million golf balls in his lifetime. A brilliant inventor and crafter of countless things; there was nothing he couldn’t improve with a little tinkering and time. Even in the last few months, visitors would come to find him organizing field service car groups with fellow residents of his memory care facility. He was a humble servant of Jehovah, always doing everything in his power to further Jehovah’s purpose by showing true Christian kindness and building others up. With his eyesight failing for the past several years, Fred never lost his eyes of faith. From an early age, he could clearly see the promises Jehovah has made to us. As he approached the end of his life, he could see how close we are to their fulfillment. Just as he worked faithfully in this system, no doubt Fred will wake up in the new world ready to continue serving Jehovah with his whole heart.
We sincerely thank all the family and friends who have offered their love and support in caring for Fred over the past several years. Your love and willingness to give your time to help with meals, transportation, and caregiving has been deeply appreciated. With deep Christian love, thank you.
A memorial service will be held:
Saturday, October 31st at the
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
325 Slayton Drive
Madison, TN 37115
Visitation- 2:00 p.m. CDT
Service – 3:00 p.m. CDT