Fry, Murphy Francis

FRY, BASLER

Posted By: Lorelei Rusco (email)
Date: 6/4/2014 at 13:29:40

Fry, Murphy Francis -
One line on the accident report from Tuesday evening's traffic
fatality read "Location: 3 miles west of Creston on Hwy 34."
Seven months ago, that same location was the scene of a traffic
accident that claimed the life of Lenox resident Gary Hartford. On
Tuesday, June 3, three miles west of Creston on Highway 34 was
the scene of a traffic mishap that took the life of Murphy F. Fry, a
2001 graduate of Lenox High School.
An Iowa State Patrol preliminary accident report was provided
to the Time Table by the Union County Sheriff's Department.
That report indicated that Fry was traveling east on Highway 34
at 9 p.m. Tuesday when his 1985 Chevrolet truck crossed the center
line and struck a semi-trailer truck.
The semi was driven by Tyler Brobst, age 56, of Murray. He
was taken to Union County Hospital for treatment of injuries.
Brobst was driving a feed truck owned by Farmers Co-Op of
Afton.
Murphy Fry was a student at Southwestern Community
College in Creston and had earlier been named as a SWCC
ambassador. Until recently he worked at the Apple Barn
Restaurant & Lounge in Lenox. His address on the accident report
is listed as Creston, but he spent considerable time around Lenox
and Sharpsburg, where much of his family lives. He had just
celebrated his 21 st birthday on May 27.
Survivors include his parents, Steve and Sue Basler of
Sharpsburg and Rod Fry of Creston; a sister, Bailey Fry, who
graduated this year from Lenox High; step-brother Kevin Basler
and step-sisters Kari and Kelli Basler.
More details will be published in next week's edition.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 4, 2003

Fry, Murphy Francis -
Celebration of life services for Murphy Fry, age 21, of Creston,
formerly of Lenox, who died Tuesday, June 3, 2003 were held
Saturday, June 7, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lenox High School
Gymnasium. Interment was held in the Graceland Cemetery in
Creston. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be
given to the Murphy Fry Scholarship Fund. Arrangements were
entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.
Murphy Francis Fry was born May 27, 1982, in Creston, Iowa the
son of Rodney Fry and Susan and Steve Basler, brother of Kari,
Kevin and Kelli Basler and Bailey Fry.
Murphy lived in Creston throughout his early childhood years,
where he was baptized and received first communion at Holy Spirit
Catholic Church. He spent many long summer days biking, fishing
and goofing off with his best friend Kyle and the other
neighborhood friends. Murphy attended Preschool through the
middle of fifth grade in Creston attending both St. Malachy and
Creston Public Schools. In 1994, he moved to a farm outside of
Sharpsburg, Iowa. He then attended the Lenox School from fifth
grade through high school graduation in 2001. Murphy continued
his education at Southwestern Community College, where he was
an active Student Ambassador. He graduated this Spring 2003 with
his Associate of Arts degree. He planned to continue his schooling
to pursue a degree in Mortuary Science.
Murphy was an ambitious child who was always involved in
many activities, including riding stunt bikes, building chopper
bikes, playing Nintendo, collecting baseball cards, and advancing
over the years to stereos and cars. He loved working on his Bronco
and later rebuilding his 1985 Chevy Silverado. Murphy was also
active in 4-H, raising and showing pigs and calves. He enjoyed
family outings and adventures. Fishing and hunting were regular
events with his friends and family even though Murphy never got
any!
While attending high school, Murphy was active in football,
golf and wrestling. During one football game, Murphy hustled so
hard, even the referee gave him a "high five"! His senior year,
Murphy beat a ranked wrestler at the John Harris Tournament. At
that tournament, he helped Lenox obtain a third place trophy and
the Team Sportsmanship Award. Murphy also golfed on the school
golf team. He was especially proud of himself for being inducted
into National Honor Society.
Shortly after the Applebarn Restaurant opened in 1999,
Murphy became an all-around employee: cooking, waiting tables,
cleaning, and ordering food.
Murphy enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He
had a gift of relating to others, no matter what their age. He had a
pleasant manner that made others gravitate to him. He was
infamous for 'popping-in' on relatives for a visit and just as
unexpectedly, 'popping-out'.
Murphy had many friends, young and old, however we all
know that the majority of them were LADIES! It must have been
that smile that made people trust in him. Murphy enjoyed spending
a lot of time with family.
Murphy was loved by a large family, many friends, and
classmates. Murphy achieved a daunting task: to be liked and
accepted into many communities. Lenox, Creston, Corning,
Bedford, Sharpsburg and Mt. Ayr all managed a home for Murphy
and his tremendous heart. He will be greatly missed in more areas
than are listed.
Left to cherish Murphy's memory are his mother Susan Basler
and husband Steve of Sharpsburg; father Rodney Fry of Creston;
grandparents, Gale and Barb Fry and Robert Bierkamp, all of
Creston; Bob and Dorothy Basler of Lenox; three sisters, Bailey
Fry of Sharpsburg; Kari Basler of Davenport; and Kelli Basler of
Des Moines; a brother, Kevin Basler of St. Louis, Missouri; great
grandparents, Falma Beardsley of Murray; Vivian Stephens of
Davenport; Dr. E.R. and Bessie Pennebaker of Lenox; many aunts,
uncles, cousins, friends and loved ones.
Preceding Murhpy in death is his grandmother Judith
Bierkamp; aunt Julie Durand; grandfather Francis Gerald Durand;
great-grandfather, William Francis Fry; and cousin Ressie Holbrook.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 11, 2003