Manfred (Fred) R. Vees, 89, died peacefully on November 24, 2016 at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House. His beloved wife, Dee, was with him and is grateful for the loving care he received and the many friends and family who shared these final days with him.A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, December 3, at 1:00 at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall. The Reverend Janice Chalaron will officiate. A second service will be held in the spring at the Southern Dharma Retreat Center in the North Carolina mountains.Manfred was born on October 8, 1927 in East Orange, New Jersey to the late Oscar Vees and Ella Lobenstein Vees. He attended high school in Rutherford, New Jersey. He enrolled at Rutgers University in 1946 but his studies were interrupted for his service in the US Army in 1946 and 1947. He returned to Rutgers in 1947 and earned a degree in Industrial Engineering. He was employed in textile and manufacturing plants in many areas until his retirement. As he neared retirement, he was faced with an ageless question: "Now that I am getting ready to retire - what am I going to do?" Fred answered this question by electing to go back to college. In 2000, at the age of 73, he entered the new millennium as a graduate of Winthrop University with a degree in fine arts. Fred practiced and refined his talents and was named one of 11 "hot" artists in the "Ones to Watch" category in the December, 2004 issue of The Water Color Magic Yearbook. He has had numerous of his works displayed since then in galleries and exhibits and until recently worked on his art at his studio at the Center for the Arts in Rock Hill. Manfred is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dolores (Dee) Vees, and a uniquely blended family - three sons - Frederick Vees, Texas; James Edward Vees, Charleston, SC; William David Vees and wife, Katie Vees, South Windsor, CT; one daughter, Winifred Ann Vees, Charlotte, NC; one stepson, Scott Crowder and wife Eileen, Cypress, TX; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous cousins in the United States and Germany.Dee and Fred shared many things in their life together - their commitment to family and their love for travel, music, theater, art and making a difference in the world.Dee expressed the hope that you will join her and her family at this celebration since she considers their many friends as family also. The reception will display some of Fred's art works. She asks that you come share your memories and love with them. Dee describes Fred as a voyager, a seeker, and a companion on our spiritual journey. He will be missed as much as he was loved.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Fred's name to the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 144 Caldwell St., Rock Hill, SC 29730; Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731, or Southern Dharma Retreat Center, 1861 West Rd., Hot Springs, NC 28743.