Fry, Raymond 1893-1918

FRY, BOND

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/17/2012 at 14:56:28

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Oct. 01, 1918

RAYMOND FRY

Raymond Fry was born Feb. 24, 1893, in Grinnell, and died at Camp Dix, N.J., Sept. 27, 1918, after a brief illness of pneumonia. He leaves his loving wife, Mrs. Bessie Bond Fry, of Exline, Iowa. It was here, however, she lived for five years and here she met the young man for whom her love was so great that she went to Deming to fulfill the marriage vows, where on July 16, 1918, the words were spoken which made her the wife of this handsome and manly soldier boy.

The happy and cheerful home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mort. Fry, early instilled into Raymond a love for the best in life and his manly and unassuming character made him liked by all.

He learned the trade of a printer and worked in both shops in Grinnell but mostly with the Herald where he was rapidly acquiring a proficiency which would ere now have placed him at the head of the profession.

Weak lungs, however, caused the physician who examined him to advise that he seek some other line of work and to the regret of all in the office and expressing regret himself at the necessity for doing so, he severed his connection with the Herald and entered the clothing store of L.H. Rinefort. His name appears on the Herald payroll on Feb. 24, 1913. Since that date until he entered the army Sept. 19, 1917, he was an efficient salesman at the Rinefort--later the McMurray Brothers' clothing store. He was cheerful, cordial and yet so quiet, modest and earnest in his manner that he made friends for himself and for his employer.

L.H. Rinefort for whom he clerked the longest says: "He was a fine cracking good boy, always on the square, industrious and willing." One of the clerks in McMurray's store says: "We all liked Raymond fine. No better boy ever lived." Harry McMurray for whom he clerked more recently, says" "You can't say too much for Raymond Fry; no better man ever entered my employ." And so they all say--that he was manly, courteous and efficient--a fine tribute to pay to any one.

The Knights of Pythias at their regular meeting appointed a committee to draw up resolutions of sympathy with Fellow Knights M. Grand Harry Fry in the death of a soldier son and brother who gave his all for the Stars and Stripes.

Mrs. M.G. Fry who started for Camp Dix last week returned with the body at 6:20 this morning. The funeral will be held at the M.E. church tomorrow afternoon. The Masonic lodge will be in charge. Raymond Fry was an honored and useful member of this lodge.

The hour of the funeral is three o'clock, and we are informed by the secretary of the Commercial that the whistle will blow at 2:30. All business houses will close.