He was an early director of industrial development in Alabama.
He was an early leader of the Alabama Development Office.
He led the creation of thousands of jobs by attracting manufacturing sites and expansions in Alabama.
Fred Denton, Jr. died on February 21 at age 92. He had been a longtime resident of Montgomery and died in the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alex City.
Denton was born in Mobile County’s Prichard in 1932. He graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile and, after his career, was inducted into the Murphy High School Hall of Fame. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from Auburn University.
Denton served his country in the U.S. Air Force as an electronics warfare officer and was stationed in Biloxi, Miss., and Tokyo, Japan.
Denton began his professional career with Alabama Power Company where he held a series of management positions including District Manager in Montgomery.
He retired from Alabama Power Company and was appointed director of industrial development for the State of Alabama. The department expanded into the Alabama Development Office where he served under four governors, helping build the state’s economic development program into one of the top programs in the nation.
He was a leader in promoting the relationship between Alabama and Japan. He was awarded the ‘Order of Sacred Treasure’ by the Emperor of Japan recognizing his work promoting the Japan – Alabama commerce.
Fred was president of the National Association of State Development Agencies and president of the Economic Developers Association of Alabama. He was a leader in the Alabama World Trade Association, the Japan/America Society of Alabama, the Alabama Export Council, and the Southern Industrial Development Council.
He served as president of the Birmingham Civitan Club.
Fred was a huge Auburn fan and contributor to Auburn Athletics.
Visitation and a Celebration of Life will be held at Leak Memory Chapel on Friday at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Burial will follow on Saturday at Mobile Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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