Louis Fred "Freddie" Midgett Jr. passed from this earth on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026. Freddie was welcomed into the arms of our Lord and is no longer struggling with sickness and pain. A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 8th at New River Community Church of God on Wheeler Creek Road in Sneads Ferry. Burial will follow at Yopp Family Cemetery on Hwy 172.

Freddie was the son eldest son of the late Louis Fred Midgett Sr. and Edna Faye Thigpen Midgett. He was born on June 16th, 1961, in Jacksonville, NC.

Freddie is survived by his wife, Mary, his son Joshua and his partner Jannean, two stepsons, Steven and David Wells, his sisters Sherry Cowperthwaite (Daniel), Barbara Brown (John) and his brother Michael (Loretta).

Freddie leaves behind four step grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Like his father and paternal grandfather, Freddie was a commercial fisherman. He chose to make his living shrimping, fishing, oystering and clamming.

Freddie worked the waters of the New River and the surrounding areas his entire life. From the time he was old enough to sit on a wooden drink crate and cull shrimp on our daddy's boat, Freddie was on the water working. By the time he was 14 years old, he had his own skiff and motor and could be found in the River doing what he loved on the River he loved.

Freddie's entire working life was spent on the water. Even when he worked at a local fish house for several years, you would find him in the River after hours or on weekends.

He also supplemented his income with hanging and repairing gill nets and shrimp trawls. Over the years Freddie worked on the deck of many local shrimp boats, traveling from Pamlico Sound to as far south as Key West.

In addition to his family and work, Freddie loved listening to country music. He and Mary would often be found at local venues listening to live music and, if given the chance he would be on the stage singing with the band. He enjoyed attending church at Salem Baptist in Sneads Ferry and enjoyed the fellowship of its members.

Freddie was a devoted husband and father. He was loved deeply by his family and his many friends, fellow fishermen and his Facebook family.

Family will receive visitors at the church prior to the service from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.

Flowers are welcome or donations in Freddie's memory can be made to Sneads Ferry Community Yopp Cemetery Restoration fund.