Frederick W. Dent

Frederick Walter Dent II, affectionately known as Freddie, Frederico, and Grandpa, was born on February 9, 1943, in the Stuyvesant Heights area of Brooklyn, New York, to R. Risley Dent and Ollie Deloach Dent. He was the eldest of three sons. Frederick departed to be with the Lord on May 13, 2024. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Eunice Dent, his parents R. Risley and Ollie D. Dent, his younger brother Rodney Dent, and his children Albert Simmons, Felicia Simmons, Michael Simmons, and Janice Babineaux.

Frederick graduated from Wingate High School in Brooklyn, where he played the timpani drums in the band. After high school, he entered a five-year apprenticeship program and completed it as a Master Electrician, affiliated with the IBEW union. His esteemed work as an electrician earned him a place on the team that wired the World Trade Center Towers, the windowless Telephone Company Building, and Lincoln Center. During a construction lull in New York, Frederick’s crew found work in Texas and later in Louisiana.

While working in Louisiana at the PPG plant, Frederick joined the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy under the Ham Reid Administration. He later went full-time, discovering a profound love for law enforcement. He served over 25 years as a Deputy Sheriff under former Sheriff Wayne McElveen and Sheriff Tony Mancuso. In his role, he was in charge of the Marine Division and Water Rescue and was a skilled scuba diver. He also assisted with livestock, worked with the Junior Deputies Program, served as the agency’s Hazmat Specialist affiliated with Louisiana Mutual Aid, and was the department’s Emergency Medical Technician. Frederick took a brief departure from the Sheriff’s Office to work as a Ward 3 City Marshal under Tony Mancuso, only to return to the Sheriff’s Office with Sheriff Mancuso, where he eventually retired.

Both in Brooklyn and Lake Charles, Frederick was active in the church as the Acolyte Warden, serving during mass for the local Diocese. He was a devoted member of St. Phillip’s Church in Brooklyn and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lake Charles. Frederick was also involved in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a Troop Leader for Troop 263 in New York and in Lake Charles, and was active in The Order of the Arrow, working with the Webelos.

Frederick had a passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles and was a member of the motorcycle club in New York where his name was Excalibur. Until his death, he was a member of the International Blue Knights LA VII, a motorcycle organization for law enforcement officers. Frederick was also a high ranking, active member of the Free Masons in Brooklyn, New York.

Frederick leaves behind to mourn him his brother and daughters: Ronald D. Dent (Elizabeth Dent), daughters:  Gail Smith (Brooklyn, New York), Cynthia Lewis (Queens, New York), Sandra Ashley (Brooklyn, New York), Tasha Guidry (Lake Charles, Louisiana), and Nikki Simmons (Lake Charles, Louisiana). He is also survived by a host of grandchildren, friends, and caregivers who will remember him for his caring, compassionate, and loving spirit. Frederick was indeed a gentle giant who gave more than he received and will forever be missed.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Home located at 4321 Lake St. Lake Charles, LA, 70605 at 1:00 PM with Interment Services at Consolata Cemetery (2300 Country Club Road, Lake Charles, La. 70606) immediately following the service. A gathering of Family and friends will take place beginning at 11:00 AM until just before funeral services at the funeral home. There will be a brief repast following the interment ceremony at The Foundation House (720 Enterprise Blvd.  Lake Charles, LA. 70601)

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Boy Scouts of America.

Frederick Walter Dent II’s legacy of dedication, compassion, and service will continue to inspire all who knew him. May he rest in eternal peace.