John D. Fry
Born: March 20th, 1925
Died: July 22nd, 2005
Obituary
John D. "Frib" Fry, 80, died Friday, July 22, 2005, at his home after a lengthy battle against cancer. Mr. Fry was born March 20, 1925, in Mediapolis, the son of Clarence D. and Verda Thorell Fry. On November 30, 1947, he married Virginia Lorraine Koepf in Burlington. His grandfather, Emmanuel Fry, was a founder of Mediapolis. Mr. Fry owned and operated Color Sales and Services for 45 years, retiring in 1991. In 1933 he moved to Burlington. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1943. In high school he excelled in track, winning the state half-mile championship five times and setting the state record for distance, which was not beaten for 20 years. He served in the Iowa State Guard, then joined the U. S. Navy Air Corps in 1943. He served in the Navy's V5A aviation program until 1946, earning college credits. Upon returning from military service, he attended Burlington Junior College, earning his A.A. degree in 1947. He served in the Iowa National Guard from 1949 to 1954. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, serving on the Church Council as Property Committee chairman. He was a lifetime member of Burlington Builders Association. Reflecting his love of flying, he was an avid builder of model airplanes and had been a member of the Burlington Model Airplane Club. He enjoyed fishing and gardening, often sharing produce with others. He was an avid reader. He was a true fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, the Iowa Hawkeye's and the Iowa State Cyclones.
Mr. Fry is survived by his wife; his daughter, Deborah (Frederick) Anderson of Bettendorf; and grandsons, Matthew (Rhea Anne) Cook Anderson of Elizabeth, New Jersey and John (Gretchen) Anderson of Washington, D.C.; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Maretta Fry Brown Bunyard. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Memorial Services for Mr. Fry will be held in Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday July 28, 2005 at 1:30 P.M. Rev. Erick Swanson will officiate. Private family inurnment will be held in Aspen Grove Cemetery with full graveside military rites, at a later date.