Wayne Fry

Benjamin Funeral Service - Nowata, Oklahoma.........................Wayne Edward Fry passed away Sunday, July 5, 2015 in Bartlesville. He was born on Sept. 4, 1929, in the Childers Community, Nowata County, Oklahoma. He was the third of seven children born to Joseph Isaac Fry and Alma Elizabeth Coker Fry, both of whom were born when Oklahoma was still Indian Territory. He attended Childers School through the 10th grade, moved to Nowata & graduated from Nowata High School in 1947. He later moved to Portland, Oregon, where his parents had relocated and worked at the Portland Woolen Mill as a miller. On May 1, 1948, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country until 1952. He then returned to Oklahoma and went to work for Phillips Oil Company. He owned & operated the Twin Kiss Ice Cream Store with his older brother Joe in Coffeyville, Kansas, in about 1953. After the sale of the store, he went back to work for McDonnell Aircraft Co., in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On September 4, 1954 Wayne married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Parrish in Nowata. He went to work for American Airlines in the fall of 1959, and retired from American on January 1, 1991, after 30 years of service. Wayne was a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He attended the Nowata First United Methodist since about 1963 and served on the Board of Trustees nearly 50 years. Wayne was a perpetual member of the Sunset Masonic Lodge #57 of Nowata, being past Master four different times, 1967, 1992, 2000, and 2002. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was on the advisory council of the order of Demolays. Wayne was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite, a member of the Bartlesville Chapter #55 of the Royal & Select Masters, & a member of the Bartlesville Council #41 Cryptic Masons. He also was in the Cavalry Commandry #26 of the Knight Templar in Bartlesville. Wayne was a member of the Nowata American Legion Post 101, an active member of the National Rifle Association, served on the Nowata Board of Education as President and also served this community on the Nowata City Commission. Wayne was also a member of the Berlin Airlift Veterans Association. Wayne is survived by two children, Karen Watkins and husband David of Sapulpa, Sharon Frauenberger of Nowata; a brother, Joe Fry Jr; four grandchildren, Sarah Wilson and husband Billy of Tucson, AZ., Brett Watkins, Chelsea Frauenberger, Kaylee Frauenberger and a great grandchild, Will Wilson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Alma Fry; his wife Patricia Ann; five siblings, Melva Wall, Gerald Fry, Delores Nilson, Larry Fry, Nola Marie Fry. Funeral services are 10:00, Thursday, July 9, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Nowata with Pastor Jeffrey Rickman officiating. Interment will follow at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 12:00pm - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015 8:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Thursday, July 9th, 2015 10:00am, First United Methodist Church Nowata

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery