Julian E. Frey

Recently of Brighton, Michigan, after living for 60 years in Beverly Hills, Michigan, Julian died peacefully on Sunday January 16, 2022, of natural causes.

Born on May 31, 1924, in Flint to Polish immigrants Antonina and Frank Fry, Julian loved sports. In 1941, he played baseball for the American Legion Baseball League, advancing to the national semi-finals. He also attended Flint Junior College where he studied engineering and met his future wife Karolyn "Konnie" at a dance.

He was drafted into the Army in 1943 and shipped to Europe. He survived several battles including the Battle of the Bulge, but broke his ankle jumping out of a burning building. Following a hospital stay in Wales, he served as an army finance technician in Paris.

After his discharge, he studied at the University of Michigan, completing an engineering degree and a Masters in Business Administration. He had a lengthy career as an automotive engineer, first at Ford and Chrysler and then at General Motors for 28 years until he retired.

In retirement, he realized his dream of owning a cottage on Lake Michigan, and spent many happy vacations there with family. He was a loving and inspirational father and a constant do-it-yourselfer whose favorite times were family gatherings whether at home, on camping trips, or at the cottage. He was admired for his honesty, his work ethic, and his kindness. We will all miss him greatly.

Julian and Karolyn were married in 1947, and she preceded him in death in 2014. His parents, his brothers John and Henry, and his sister Rose also preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister Helen Jarboe, and by six children, Patricia (Lawrence Deck), Janet (John Talbot), Margaret (Charles Kidd), James (Lisa Brush), Susan (Murray Gross), and David (Miae).

Also surviving are ten grandchildren: Elizabeth (David Hill), Christopher, Emma (John Kirn), Stephen, Rachel Higinbotham, William, Mady (Craig Smith), Daniel, Benjamin, and Marisa, and two great-grandchildren, Eva and Felix. He is also survived by step-grandchildren Elizabeth Kopko, Julie Williams, Isabel and Linus Brush-Mindell, and Ben Gross, as well as several nieces and nephews. His family would like to thank his doctor, Carl Karoub, for his exceptional care and guidance over so many decades.

A one-hour visitation will be held at 12 Noon Monday, January 24, 2022 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 404 North Dayton Street, Davison. A Funeral Mass will follow at 1PM Monday, January 24, 2022. Father Dieudonne' Ntakarutimana officiating. The family requests that all visitors please wear masks. An option for attending the service virtually is available by going to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church web page and click on live streaming.

Burial will be in the Davison Cemetery at 10080 Potter Road in Davison.

An outdoor remembrance celebration will be scheduled for late spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint or to Mid-Michigan Honor Flight.