Fred Abraham Stoklasa

OBITUARY

Fred Abraham Stoklasa was born on February 6, 1987, in Leon, Iowa.  He passed unexpectedly on November 16, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his father, William Louis Stoklasa, Culleoka, TN and his grandparents; Ward and Norma Putnam of Princeton, MO, and Ivan Stoklasa, Culleoka, TN; and by his stepfather David Barnard, Mt. Juliet, TN.   He is survived by his mother Gale Barnard, Nashville, TN, his sisters Angie Cogswell and husband Jay of Greenbrier, TN; Amber Smith and husband Kenny of Eagleville, TN; Annie Stoklasa of Kansas City, MO; Grandmother, Shirley Stoklasa; and his stepmother Dawn Stoklasa, Columbia, TN; And many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  Abe was Uncle to Knox, Emma, and Dolly Smith and to Wyatt, Bobby, and Dakota Morris.  Abe was also stepbrother to Jessica Barnard Smith, Leah Barnard Whitt, Blake Barnard, Christy Houser Ottsman, Joey Houser, and Carley Houser.

Join us in celebrating Abe’s short life at The Basement East ( 917 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206 ) on Sunday, December 10, 2023, from 12 noon till 2pm.  A memorial presentation will begin at 12:30pm.

STORY

Abe grew up in the Princeton, Missouri area until the end of his 8^th grade year.  He played in the school band and with his dad’s band and music shows around the Midwest.  At the end of his 8^th grade year the family moved to Eagleville, TN, just south of Nashville where he already had sights of attending Belmont University. Before even moving to Tennessee, he was networking with legends Boots Randolf and Don Helms.  During high school Abe was into basketball and did a little acting. With his focus on Belmont and planning a career as a musician and songwriter things would fall in to place easily for him due to his scholastic achievements, talents, and scholarships.  While playing with bands in Nashville several nights a week, Abe attended Belmont and received his bachelor’s degree in Music Business in 2009.  Even though he wasn’t a music major he was invited to participate in the music department’s band and songwriting events.  Belmont is where he met many of his long-term friends and future co-writers and business colleagues.  He was torn between continuing his education at the University of Miami (with a full scholarship) in music or hitting the road to make some money.  After a semester at UofM, the road won out and he became a touring musician. 

Although Abe had written a few songs by this time, he hadn’t focused on it.  After a couple of years touring, he started pursuing this aspect of his career more seriously. By age 25 he had his first songwriting/publishing deal and really began honing his skills.  His humor and wit made for some pretty interesting songs for sure, and eventually began getting some holds, and then some record cuts and the attention of the music industry.  He eventually scored a number one country hit as well as other hits and major artist cuts.  Abe was widely admired for his unique voice and skill in delivering a song. Unfortunately, there are numerous unheard songs and many songs that he had left to write. As we morn our loss, we are celebrating his life at The Basement East ( 917 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206 ) on Sunday, December 10, 2023, from 12 noon till 2pm.  A memorial presentation will begin at 12:30pm.

Nashville Cremation Center is honored to be entrusted with handling Mr. Stoklasa's arrangements. Please visit his guestbook to leave a thoughtful note for the family.