Frederick McKee Mossman, 1934 - 2026

Departed this life to his Eternal Rest, trusting in his Savior Jesus Christ.
Born in Valentine, Nebraska February 4, 1934, to Frederick Andrew and Edna McKee Mossman, he spent his first years on the family homestead nestled along the Niobrara River near Valentine. Here he learned the value of hard work growing up around his father Fred and Uncles Harry, Charley, Ted and Aunt Emma Moosman (Fred Sr. changed the Swiss spelling to Mossman). Fritz and Rosa Moosman, his Swiss grandparents, loved him well and welcomed him back to the ranch throughout the years. He participated in the care of beef cattle, the harvesting of the vegetables and hay crops, telling his own children of his memories of helping Grandpa Fritz take eggs and produce to Valentine to sell or help lead a team of horses hitched to wagons to collect hay from the fields.

When his mother Edna became ill with tuberculosis, Fred was brought to New Mexico, at the age of five, by his parents in the hope the dry climate would help her heal. Unfortunately, Edna did not survive, but Fred Sr. made a home in New Mexico and would remain here, putting to use his carpentry skills he learned building truss bridges in Nebraska to build homes in Albuquerque. He would build and sell these homes one at a time.

Fred attended Monte Vista Elementary, Jefferson Middle and was in the first class of students to start and graduate from Highland High School, graduating in 1952. He went on to attend UNM, graduating in 1956 with a business degree and then becoming vice president of Mossman-Gladden, the company his father began in the 1940's. Working with his father and brother-in-law Edward Gladden, Fred was an integral part of the tremendous growth of the company over the next 30 years. Making innumerable weekly trips on old Highway 66 to manage residential and commercial developments in communities like Farmington, Aztec and Gallup, Fred oversaw the building of thousands of homes with a large workforce of skilled craftsmen. In time, Fred also developed the swimming pool division of the company, building hundreds of residential and commercial projects along with introducing the automatic pool cover system to the market.

Just before joining the family business full-time, Fred met Janie Louder, also a student at UNM. They were married in 1956 until her death in 2021. In addition to wife and mother of the five Mossman children and community volunteer, Janie became an intricate part of Mossman-Gladden, adding her professional skills in design, furniture and taste to many aspects of the growing business.

Fred's faith was a core of who he was, and he prayed for his family throughout his years. He served with Janie to facilitate the Billy Graham Crusade at the UNM Pit in 1975 and helped with the final procurement of the present Hoffmantown Church location.

In the mid-eighties, Fred concentrated on the commercial real estate division, managing existing properties and developing new projects including Mossman Center on Montgomery Blvd. He enjoyed the relationship with his tenants, developing close relationships that were evident in tenants renewing leases multiple times. This love of relationship and engagement was evident in his involvement in several organizations including as a director of Albuquerque Federal Savings and Loan, as Vice Chairman of the Albuquerque Main Library Advisory Board, Trustee of Albuquerque Academy, an advisor of Plaza Don Luis Old Town development in Old Town and serving two terms as President of the Albuquerque Home Builders Association. He received many awards and recognitions through the years, including his induction to The Anderson Schools Business Hall of Fame.

Business was not all of his life though, as Fred loved the outdoors, a love that began in Nebraska as a child. He grew up being taught to hunt, fish and even skate on frozen lakes. Elk hunting trips to the Brazos River family ranch in Northern New Mexico with his brother-in-law Jerry Louder and his sons Andrew, Clark, and Matt.

Sometimes the youngest children, Grant and Sarah would tag along. Fred loved the feel of the Northern New Mexico landscape and not only hunted and fished but captured the beauty in his photography with his trusty Hasselblad camera at hand. Countless hours were spent patiently fishing the Los Pinos River on the family farm in Bayfield, Co.

Ultimately, Fred Mossman loved life. Enjoyed jokes, delighted in his dogs or a good horse. He was a loyal friend, successful builder, farsighted planner, talented photographer, excellent fisherman and hunter. But mostly, he loved his wife Janie and his children and passed his work ethic and favorite pastimes on to them.

Fred is pre-deceased by his parents, his wife of 65 years Janie Louder Mossman, his long-time business partner and brother-in-law Edward Gladden and Phyllis Gladden his half-sister; Moosman aunt and uncles. 

He is survived by his four sons Andrew Mossman (Ashley) of Corrales; Clark Mossman, Rye Patch, Nevada; Matthew Mossman (Stacy) Albuquerque; Grant Mossman, Albuquerque; and daughter Sarah Mossman Wolfe (Steve) Nashville, Tennessee. Nine grandchildren: Bennett and Jack Mossman; Ryan (Alicia) Mossman, Seth and Cade (Parker) Mossman; Tessa and Theodore Mossman; Zachary, Nathaniel, Samuel and Madeleine Wolfe; Great grandchildren Jonah, Jayana, Jayleana, Charleigh, Caleb and Trace Mossman, many Moosman, Louder and Gladden nieces, nephews and cousins, and his second wife Virginia Sue Fairchild, a loving companion whom he married in 2024.

Frederick Mckee Mossman died peacefully on March 17, 2026, just one month past his 92nd birthday. In accordance with his wishes, a private family burial will take place in Alamogordo, New Mexico, next to his wife Janie, in the Louder Family plot.

Should friends wish, memorial gifts may be made in Fred's memory to a charity of your choice.