Fred distinguished himself scholastically and was an Eagle Scout. He also was a member of Phi Kappa, a high school social fraternity, president of the Young Peoples Department of Central United Methodist Church and was honored as the best drilled member of the Mississippi Junior State Guard, a unit similar to the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He graduated from high school at 16 years old, ranking sixth in his graduating class of 213 students, and was the class orator at his commencement. After graduating from high school he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point; but after attending a tent revival meeting, decided to pursue a religious calling instead.
fred distinguished himself scholastically and was an eagle scout he also was a member of phi kappa a high school social fraternity president of the young peoples department of central united methodist church and was honored as the best drilled member of the mississippi junior state guard a unit similar to the reserve officer training corps he graduated from high school at 16 years old ranking sixth in his graduating class of 213 students and was the class orator at his commencement after graduating from high school he received an appointment to the united states military academy at west point; but after attending a tent revival meeting decided to pursue a religious calling instead