Freddie Asberry Bootle

Freddie Asberry Bootle, Jr., 76, died July 21, 2017 after a long battle with cancer. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends all his life and up till his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie Sr and Mary Bootle, his brother, Tommy, and baby grandson Matthew Thacker. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lindler Tallon Bootle, as well as his three children, Mary Ellen Thacker, (Dean), Timothy Tallon Bootle (Erin), and Martha Elizabeth Bootle. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; Katherine Thacker, Thomas Thacker, Summer Thacker, Daniel Thacker, David Bootle, Martha Bootle, and Claudia Bootle. He is also survived by his brothers-in-love, Joe Tallon (Martha Anne) and Roy Tallon (Patti). Freddie was born in Charleston and grew up in the Garco mill village in North Charleston. He attended North Charleston schools and went to Auburn University as a co-op student working at the North Charleston paper mill. He graduated as an electrical engineer, and was commissioned in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant in December of 1964. Freddie began his career as an officer working as a test engineer at the Army Air Defense Board, doing research and development of electronic counter measures for radar systems and missiles to give our forces better odds in the war in Vietnam. After his active military service, he continued in the inactive reserves, retiring after 30 years as a Lieutenant Colonel. After the Army, he began a civilian career which was varied, with some years working in Charleston at NAVELEX, and continued as the NEO in London. He also worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Frankfurt, Germany. Some years were spent at MacDill Air Force Base, assigned to Special Operations Command. His last working years were in Brussels, Belgium, where he was assigned to NATO International Staff. He traveled extensively in his career, working on temporary or permanent duty in 38 countries on 4 continents. Throughout his adult life, he was always involved with his churches, working with missionaries in various countries. He lived the last 12 years of his life on Folly Beach, where he spent summer visits from childhood, and where he and Lindler honeymooned. He was active in his church, Folly Beach Baptist, where he taught adult Sunday School class for many years. He loved his church family and pastor, Richard Summey, and enjoyed being a part of such a kind and loving congregation. Freddie was a dedicated husband and father who devoted his life to his family. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking and teaching his children to fish. Freddie will certainly be missed by his family and friends.
Services will be held at his church Folly Beach Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Carolina Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Monday, July 24 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, JAMES ISLAND CHAPEL. Flowers are welcome, but memorials are also welcome to Folly Beach Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 50, Folly Beach, SC 29439. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, James Island Chapel, 347 Folly Road Charleston, South Carolina, 29412, 843-614-8494.