FRED MUSSER JR., 87

Fred A. Musser, Jr. went to be with the Lord peacefully at home on June 16, 2026. Fred was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, on January 21, 1939. He was the son of Fred A. Musser, Senior, and Dorothy A. Musser.

Fred attended Keith School in Indiana. Following Keith School, he graduated from Mount Hermon Preparatory School in Massachusetts. Fred continued his education at the University of Miami, where he majored in Business Administration. After attending the University of Miami, Fred spent a year working at Monrovia Nursery in California for the express purpose of learning how to grow plant stock in containers. It was this knowledge he brought to Musser Forests and further revolutionized the business. As Vice-President, he worked closely with his father and sister, Nancy. Upon his father’s death in 1988, he took over the management of Musser Forests, Inc. He expanded the company’s growth by increasing sales of potted plants, seedlings, ball and burlap trees, and Christmas trees. Musser Forests had once been acclaimed as the largest of its kind in the world. It continues to be one of the last of its kind.

Fred had always had a passion for the outdoors. Spending summer vacations in Colorado and Montana working as a wrangler for “dude ranches.” He found his challenge in hunting big game, especially wild sheep. He has achieved 4 “Grand Slams,” each of which includes all four North American wild sheep. He also holds the record for the second largest Argali Ram in the world which he acquired in Mongolia. His adventures have taken him to North America, South America, Central America, Africa, Asia, and the Arctic. Over the years, these trips afforded him the opportunity to meet and make lifelong friends around the world.

Fred was a lifetime member of the Mount Nittany Society of Penn State University and the Allied Club of Indiana, Pennsylvania. He attended Covenant Way Church, Indiana, PA. He was also inducted into the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame.

Fred is survived by his wife, Ellen Appleby Musser of Indiana, Pennsylvania; his sons, Kevin Musser and his wife, Laura, of Indiana, Pennsylvania; Jeff Musser of Costa Rica; and Mark Musser and his wife, Tara, of Georgia; and his five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Elizabeth Wolfe of Decatur, Georgia, and three nieces and one nephew.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Fred Musser III; his grandsons, Kamden Martin Musser and Greggory Musser; and his sister, Nancy Carol Musser.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Way Church, 1292 Old Route 119 Highway North, Indiana, PA 15701.

Bowser Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Homer City are in charge of arrangements. Please visit bowserfh.com to sign the online guestbook.