Fred Davis Light, age 82, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 9, 2025, following complications from a recent back surgery and a battle with bone cancer. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, coach, and friend. He enjoyed sports of any kind, hunting, fishing, and gardening.

Born September 26, 1942, in Kingston, PA, Fred was the only son of the late Anne and Merritt Light of Meshoppen PA. A gifted athlete, he was a multi-sport standout at Elk Lake High School and a three-year starter on the Penn State University baseball team where he led the team to a 1963 College World Series appearance, eventually finishing fifth in the nation. Fred held PSU’s all-time single season and career stolen base record until the mid-1980s.

After graduating from Penn State, Fred signed a professional baseball contract with the Houston Astros playing for the Durham Bulls and Salisbury Astros. Fred was named to the 1965 Western Carolina All-Star team as a shortstop hitting 23 homers.

After his minor league baseball career ended, he received his Master of Education degree from Shippensburg University while also serving as a physical education teacher at Elizabethtown High School. While at Elizabethtown, he was the head coach of the varsity boys basketball team and led them to finish as runners up in the district finals in 1971. At this time, Fred also began playing men’s softball with many great championship teams. He continued to play competitively into his late 70s.

Fred later moved to Honesdale where he was employed as a guidance counselor at Honesdale High School. He coached the Honesdale High School baseball team for 22 years and started the Freshman boys basketball program. He later coached the girls varsity softball team for 15 years, assisting them to a PIAA state semifinal berth in 2019. He was a beloved coach who cared deeply for his players on and off the field. Fred was also inducted into the Luzerne County and Wayne County Sports Halls of fame.

In July of 1966, Fred married his college sweetheart Carole Longsdorf in a ceremony at Duke University chapel. The couple shared a deep and enduring love during their 58 years of marriage. In recent years, Fred lovingly served as Carole’s primary caretaker.

Fred leaves behind his wife, Carole Anne Light of Honesdale; two sons and daughters-in-law, Win, and his wife, Malissa of Cumming, GA, Rob, and his wife Stephanie, of Waxhaw, NC; and four beloved grandchildren, Amanda, Natalie, Bridgette, and Luke.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday August 16, 2025 at 11:00am in the Wesley Room of Central United Methodist Church, 205 11th Street, Honesdale, PA 18431. A graveside service and interment will follow at East Dyberry Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 15 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Arthur A Bryant Funeral Home.