Rapid City Fred Fritz Judson, 91, Rapid City, died at his residence Thursday, October 29, 2009. Fritz was born June 27, 1918 to Fred & Eunice (Traversie) Judson at Dupree, SD. In this same year, Fritzs father, Fred Judson died of the flu. He was the youngest of 4 children, Orlin Judson, Mildred White-Walker and Clifford Judson, all now deceased. He was raised on a ranch near Red Owl, SD by his adoptive parents Blake and Ethel Crowser. He grew up ranching, sheep herding and roaming the prairies of Western South Dakota. On June 25, 1938, Fritz married Elsie Reed of Bushie Creek, SD and together they began ranching in the Red Owl and Mud Butte communities in partnership with his parents until 1949. During this time a daughter and son became part of their family, Wanda and Bill. Fritz was very proud of his ranching heritage and the many friendships he had in Meade County. This led to his active participation in the 1902 Cowboys organization. He loved his heritage as a cowboy and all it stands for. Fritz and his family moved to Rapid City in 1950. In 1952, he began a partnership in Mel Scheib Plumbing Company, which merged into Northwest Pipe Fitting, Incorporated. He remained a partner until 1964 when he sold his interest to devote more time to non-profit special interest groups and charitable organizations. Fritz was especially proud of his daughter and her husband Wanda (Judson) & Carl Nafzger. Their lives centered around rodeo early on and then thoroughbred horse racing. They are quite successful in a very competitive field of endeavor and have twice trained horses which won the Kentucky Derby, Unbridled in 1990 and Street Sense in 2007. In 1971, Fritz married Mary (Williamson) Scull. This event brought 6 additional children into his life which resulted in 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, all of whom he took great delight in. He was a wonderful father and grandfather to all. He was particularly active in the West River Community. His association with the Optimists and all it stood for brought him great pleasure. The Catalyst Club awarded him the Good Neighbor Award. The Black Hills Stock Show awarded him the Tom Didier Pioneer Award. Everyone he ever met was a friend forever more. Once you met Fritz you never forgot him and he never forgot you. He particularly enjoyed the rodeo arena. He knew the cowboys who participated, the stock they rode by name and reputation, and faithfully attended all nearby rodeos. He never missed a National Finals rodeo until his health held him back. Certainly one of Fritzs primary missions in life was his active participation with the Friends of Bill W. As he would always say Its a way of life and a comfortable way of living. He will be missed by the thousands of lives he touched for nearly 58 years as a Friend of Bill W. He will be greatly missed by his best friend and wife Mary, his children, Wanda & Carl Nafzger, Connie & Myron Nelson, Mary Ann & Brooks Benson, Jim & Mary Scull, Bill & Jan Scull, Happy & Brad Bradfield and Bob & Sharla Scull. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Eunice Judson; his adopted parents, Blake and Ethel Crowser; his first, wife Elsie Reed Judson; his son Bill, who died at the age of twenty and his grandson, Dirk Scull who passed due to complications from heart surgery and two brothers Clifford Crowser, Orlin Judson and a sister, Mildred White-Walker. He loved Mother Earth, his family, his friends and being part of the community. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Oshiem & Schmidt Funeral Home. A celebration of life will take place at 5:00 P.M. at the Alano Club in Rapid City, S.D. Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, November 2, at the Calvary Lutheran Church 5311 Sheridan Lake Road, Rapid City with Rev. Linda Baldock and Rev. Harold Delbridge officiating. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, S.D. A memorial has been established to support his memory of charitable organizations he enjoyed.