Fred Arthur Fry (1972)

FRY, RAMSEY, ROYER, ZELIADT, BRICKER, HUTCHISON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/25/2008 at 09:15:05

Earlham Echo – August 24, 1972

Obituary

Fred Arthur Fry was born to George B. and Eve Belle Fry August 7, 1891, on his grandfather’s farm in Dallas County, 3 ½ miles north of Earlham where the family lived and where he grew to maturity. He first attended school at Bear Creek and later at District No. 9, Adams Township, Dallas County. He graduated from Earlham Academy. Then attended Penn College at Oskaloosa.

Fred was an athlete. During his Academy years he played football and after graduation he played for years with a local football team. He played basketball also. The last he was able to Fred and his brother Bert participated in the running of the first Drake relays.

Music was his joy. He had no instructions. He learned to play first the violin, and later the trombone from the instruction booklets given with the purchase of the instruments. He played with orchestras and bands in several communities and was instrumental in keeping the old Earlham band a going concern for many years.

He helped to operate the home farm and also his father’s farm until his marriage to Miss Helen Ramsey March 8, 1921. They made their home on his father’s farm 2 miles north of Earlham until at a later date they were able to purchase it and make it their own. Their busy, happy life was very full. Togetherness was their joy. They blended their musical efforts at home, at church and wherever they were invited to be of service.

Aside from their busy life on the farm and activities in the community they provided a home and guidance for three sons of his widowed sister while they were attending school at Earlham. They helped and cared for others of the family also.

His beloved wife, Helen, was “called home” July 2, 1952. As a Memorial to her he presented an electric organ to the Friends Church where she had played for services for so many years.

Then came a time of distress and loneliness almost unbearable until he met another who came to walk beside him to share and comfort. He was married to Mrs. Pauline Royer December 12, 1954. Once more his life had meaning and once again he took up his very active life in community affairs. Once more there was someone to encourage and share activities. He served as president of the Dallas County Farm Bureau, and with the A.S.C.

The farm work finally became too strenuous for him. He purchased a part of his grandfather’s property in Earlham and there built a home. Here he spent his remaining days with his garden and his flowers.

He enjoyed going to his sister Vivian’s home to play and sing but really excelled in track work.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Pauline, two sisters—Breta Fry of Kansas City, Missouri, and Vivian Zeliadt of Earlham; 12 nieces and nephews. His mother and father, brother Bert, sisters Beatrice Bricker and Virginia Hutchison preceded him in death.

Note: Burial was made in the Earlham cemetery.

Gravestone Photo
 

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