Leonard W. Frey Sr.

1916 - 2009

Leonard W. Frey, Sr., 92, passed on to his Heavenly home on Saturday, May 2, 2009 in Chico, CA.
Leonard was born in the back bedroom of a farmhouse near Lodi, California. The doctor who delivered him rode six miles on horse and buggy to get to the home.
While in elementary school in Lodi, he played a doctor in a Red Cross skit, which earned him the nickname "Doc Frey" by his best friends for the rest of his life.
Leonard graduated from high school in 1935, having earned many achievements in FFA cattle judging. He attended the College of the Pacific in Stockton where he sang in the school choir and played on the freshman basketball team. He later attended Forkner's School of Business where he learned some valuable and interesting concepts needed in life.
On November 27, 1938, he married Edna Stoltz in Lodi, CA. The couple made their home in Lodi until moving to Chico in 1954, where he was involved in farming. He later started a small gardening service, which expanded to become Frey Landscape Service.
He retired from the business in December 2008. In 2001 he earned an award from the California Landscape Contractors Association for his 45 years of service in the landscaping business.
Leonard and Edna were active members of the Chico Evangelical Free Church.
At an early age at a revival meeting in his church, Leonard gave his life over to the Lord. All of his life his goal was to serve the Lord. He sang in the church choir for over 40 years and taught 5th and 6th grade boys in Sunday School for 25 years. Leonard also sang with the Bidwell Generals Chorus and Quartet and won first place in an intercity quartet contest.
He especially enjoyed fishing and hunting, his last fishing trip being last fall at the age of 91.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Edna; his sons, Ronald and Dennis; his brother, Lloyd; and sisters, Alice Williams and Jean Rife Parsons.
He is survived by a son, Leonard, Jr.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A private entombment service for family only was held on Thursday at the Chico Cemetery.
There will be a memorial service to honor his life at the Chico Evangelical Free Church, 1193 Filbert Avenue, on Tuesday at noon, May 12, 2009 with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice or to the Chico Evangelical Free Church in care of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home.
You may share your memories of Leonard online at nbcfh.com.