The city of Oxford is mourning the passing of Fred Denney, who has served for the last two decades as the city project manager.

“I enjoy my work, and I think I’m accomplishing something,” Denney told Oxford Access at age 85 in July 2024. “It’s my city, too. That’s why I’ve done all these things. I want to see my city have the best and have what it needs. As long as I know I’m contributing, I’ll stay here.”

Denney was instrumental in finding funding and guiding to competition most of Oxford’s major projects during those years, including the new police station, the Oxford Performing Arts Center, the renovation of the Oxford Civic Center, the Bynum Community Center, downtown sidewalk improvements, and several road projects.

Denney began his career straight out of high school, working for 19 years at Alabama Power, then started his own electrical contracting business for 24 years.

He began his service to the city of Oxford in 2007, when Mayor Leon Smith asked him to serve as the project manager for the new police station.

Denney recently told Oxford Access he filled that position with the philosophy, “If it’s being done for Oxford, it needs to be done right.”

Denney achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in the National Guard and was once president of the Anniston Jaycees and the Oxford Lions Club.

He was especially proud of being an elder at Betta View Hills Church of Christ.

“They offered me that job, and I didn’t really think I was qualified,” Denney told Oxford Access. “I hated to turn it down because I got to thinking about meeting the Good Lord and Him asking why I didn’t do any work at His place.”

“The Oxford of today is a monument to the work and devotion of Fred Denney for the city he loved and served so well,” said Mayor Alton Craft. “We have lost not only a valued employee, but a treasured friend. I and the city council, on behalf of our entire community, offer our love and prayers to his family.”