Wayne Fry

Jess Wayne Fry, son of the late Lloyd and Olva (Barton) Fry, was born August 26, 1924, at his home near Mountain Grove, Missouri, and passed peacefully February 10, 2024, at Country Living Assisted Living in Mountain Grove, Missouri.  He was 99 years, 5 months, and 15 days of age.  

Wayne grew up in the Mountain Grove area and began his education in a one-room schoolhouse.  He later graduated from Mountain Grove High School with the class of 1942.  After high school, he joined the United States Army and served his country in World War II. Wayne was stationed in the Philippines and Japan during his military service.  He then returned to Mountain Grove and worked for Victory Oil Company for a few years.   

Wayne met Letha Middleton and they were united in marriage on April 20, 1947.  He then worked on the family farm for a time before they moved back to town, when he and his brother-in-law, Harold Lawson, owned and operated over-the-road trucks for a few years.  Most of Wayne's working career was spent at the Missouri Department of Transportation in the Mountain Grove and Bendavis Sheds. His dedication and expertise led him to become the Shed Foreman at Bendavis until his retirement in 1990.

Wayne spent a number of years caring for Letha after she became ill, and he became her unwavering source of support and comfort.   He visited her nearly every day when she went in the nursing home.  Wayne spent his latter years at Country Living Assisted Living.  He really enjoyed his time there and the care that he received.  

Wayne was saved at a young age, and he was a life-long member of Willow Springs Free Will Baptist Church in Mountain Grove.   He served as a deacon since 1948, and taught Sunday School for many years.  He and Letha also sang in a church quartet with their friends, John and Lois Shannon.  

Wayne didn’t have many hobbies throughout his working career.  After retirement, he came home and told Letha that he had decided to take up woodworking and build furniture.  Every member of his family has at least one piece of furniture that he had built for them over the years.  After Letha became ill, she was able to sit in the kitchen and coach him through learning to cook.  Wayne ended up becoming a wonderful cook and baker late in life.  Letha received extra care and visits to her room in the nursing home because there were usually fresh chocolate chip cookies that Wayne had made to be shared.  He also enjoyed canning, and he and his son-in-law, Charles, canned countless jars of tomato juice and pickles throughout the years.  Another hobby that Wayne had taken up was collecting model trains and cars.   He acquired an extensive collection that drew people to stop by his room to see.  

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Letha Fry, one brother, Phillip Fry, three sisters, Dorothy Middleton, Fern Hill, and Jane Barker, and one daughter-in-law, Cynthia Fry.  

Wayne is survived by one son, Gary Fry and his wife, Shirley, two daughters, Brenda Dean and her husband, Charles, and Cindy Kinnick and her husband, Randy, six grandchildren, Jessica Fry, Thad Fry and his wife, Laura, Katy Fry, Heather Coen and her husband, Chad, Cara Conway and her husband, Jason, and Emily Simpkins and her husband, Caleb, eleven great-grandchildren, Isaac, Tate, Harrison, Evelyn, William, Henry, Milo, Ethan, Eli, Cael, and Charlie, two great-great-grandchildren, Hudson and Levi, and many nephews, nieces, and friends who will miss him.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Welch College, in memory of Wayne Fry, at the funeral home or by clicking on the link below.