Fredrick Wayne Means, 65 of Charleston, WV went home to be with the Lord on May 22, 2026.

Adopted at birth by his parents, Robert H. and Clara B. Means Edwards he went through school as Fredrick Edwards. While trying to obtain his driver’s license he found out that he was unofficially adopted and had to use his birth name of Fredrick Means.

Fred went to Charleston High School and had an associates degree from Fairmont State. The last 15 years of his career was working in the construction industry as a quality control inspector and bridge/highways inspector. In 2000 he was injured on the job, becoming disabled. The last 26 years of his life he suffered from chronic pain and problems relating to his original injury. The past 14 months he had been battling an infectious disease causing him to have several surgeries on his right knee. While waiting to get his knee put back in, he died at home in his sleep after a long hard, fought battle.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert H. and Clara B. Means Edwards, brothers James Wilkinson, Thomas Edwards, Woodrow Edwards, Sisters Mary Radcliff and Judy Means, mother-in-law Edith Arlene Petro.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years Karen (the love of his life), his three children Maria Anne Lawson of Charleston, WV, Patrick Wayne Means (Brooklyn Searls) of Charleston, WV, Taylor Cheyenne Means (Liam Racer) of South Charleston, WV and one grandchild Wyatt Wayne Racer who was the joy of Fred’s eyes. He is survived by his brother Robert Edwards and wife, Brenda of Cleveland, Ohio and sister Peggy Graham and husband Phil of Cadiz, KY and sister-in-law Kathy Edwards of Big Chimney, WV. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and all that called him friend.

He touched all that knew him. He didn’t know a stranger. He was the most compassionate and caring person who had a strange sense of humor but loved life and everyone. Up to his injury he was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, especially bow hunting. He loved trout fishing and continued to be able to go with friends after his injury. He loved taking rides on his Harley and loved going to the gun range. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed going to Pigeon Forge with his siblings and their spouses. He looked extremely forward to his trips to Cadiz, KY to run around with Peggy and Phil. He was very patriotic and loved his country, loved the men and women in the service and had deep respect for the veterans, fireman and police.

Funeral service will be at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29th at Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home, Charleston with the Reverend Travis Bradley officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, WV. Visitation with the family will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at cpjfuneralhome.com.

Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home is serving the Means family.