MOUNT VERNON – Gary Frederic Frye, 79, of Fleming went to his heavenly home on Dec. 28, 2021. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather; a respected attorney; and a man who loved the Lord.
Gary was born on Nov. 14, 1942, in Mount Vernon, the son of the late Frederic C. and Helen Ruth Lauderbaugh Frye.
Gary pursued his undergraduate degree at the United States Coast Guard Academy and then The Ohio State University. He graduated from Ohio State’s College of Law with his J.D.
Gary worked as an attorney for 51 years; he spent 37 years as a partner in Theisen & Brock LPA and then 14 years as the in-house counsel for Artex Oil. He retired on Dec. 31, 2019. He was a great civic and community leader who invested time and energy to mentor young professionals and businesspeople. Over the years, he led many organizations such as the Warren High School Athletic Boosters; Boy Scout Troop 216, in which more than 20 young men achieved the Eagle Scout Award; and the NCAA Division III Baseball World Series Tournament Committee. Gary was an active member of the Tunnel United Methodist Church.
Gary loved spending time with his family and attending his grandkids’ sporting events. His hobbies included playing music on the piano and guitar, singing, reading, watching football and basketball and working outdoors to meticulously maintain his acres of property. He also enjoyed singing at church and leading Bible studies.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Sharon P. Frye; son Bret Frye (Melissa) of Williamstown, W.V.; daughter Layne Shidaker (Trent) of The Woodlands, Texas; and sons Justin Frye (Melissa) of Cincinnati and John Frye (Molly) of Marietta. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Nathan and Maggie Frye, Carter, Kamryn and Keatyn Haynes, Allison and Jillian Shidaker, Tom, Stella, and Livi Frye and Tyler and Max Frye. He is survived by a brother, Stanley Frye; and a brother-in-law, David Phillips.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law Shirley Frye.
There will be a celebration of Gary's life at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the Leavitt Funeral Home in Belpre with Pastor Rick Stuhmer officiating. Masks will be encouraged at the service. The celebration will be livestreamed from Leavitt’s website at the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, online or at 307 Lancaster Street, Suite 1, Marietta, OH 45750, or to the Tunnel United Methodist Church Outreach Committee, 65 Coffman Road, Marietta, OH 45750. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.LeavittFuneralHome.com.
