Fred Pifer, Georgia Pastor and Nuclear Plant Employee, Dies at 64

Fred Pifer, 64, of Vidalia, Georgia, passed away on March 5, 2026, at the Community Hospice House in Vidalia. A dedicated pastor and longtime employee of the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant, Pifer served communities in Georgia for decades.

Early Life and Education

Born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, Pifer moved to Georgia in 1979 and built a life centered around faith and service. He was a graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Pifer continued his education, earning a Bachelor of Ministry degree from Brewton Parker College and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina .

Military and Ministry

Pifer served in the United States Air Force, stationed at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia. During his time in the Air Force, he felt a calling to the gospel ministry and dedicated his life to serving Jesus Christ. He pastored Red Bluff Baptist Church in Soperton, Georgia. Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Garfield, Georgia; and First Baptist Church in Metter .

Career at Edwin I. Hatch

For thirteen years, Pifer was employed at the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant in Baxley, Georgia, retiring in 2022 .

Personal Life and Legacy

Pifer enjoyed fishing, hunting, sports, and motorcycle riding. He was known for his love of Jesus, his compassion for others, his dedication to studying and teaching the Word, and his joyful laughter. He is survived by his sons, Justin Pifer (Hannah) of Concord, North Carolina, and Brandon Pifer of Vidalia, Georgia; his mother, Jean Pifer, of Kingston, Pennsylvania; his brother, John Pifer and his wife, Sondra, of Luzerne, Pennsylvania; and grandsons, Connor Pifer and Cole Pifer of Concord, North Carolina. He was predeceased by his father, Fedrick H. Pifer, and his sister, Mary Jo Pifer. He is also survived by his former wife, Lori Cheek Pifer, of Vidalia, Georgia .

Funeral Arrangements and Memorial Contributions

Wilkes Funeral Home of Vidalia is overseeing arrangements. No services will be held at this time. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Community Hospice, PO Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475, or to Trinity Baptist Church, 2141 Adams Street, Vidalia, GA 30474 . The family invites those who wish to share testimonies of God’s impact through Fred to do so online at wilkesfuneralhomega.com.