Linus R. "Lonny" Frey

My sincere condolences to the Frey family. My father was also from the St. Louis area, and grew up in Decatur, Illinois down the street from Gene (Junior) Thompson, who pitched for the 39-40 Reds. I only met Gene once, but remember him saying that the core of that great club was Lonny and Ernie Lombardi. Baseball is part of our rich history, and Lonny was one of those lights who helped it shine forever.

Martin Smith
Tacoma, Washington

It was with joy that I was priveledged to write to and receive in return several letters and autographs from Mr. Frey during the last decade. Though we were not related to him, my father had told me of this player named Frey who he followed as a kid in the 30's and 40's. He told me he did not remember anyone else named Frey who ahd ever contacted him.
In recent years, the internet made it easier to find and to follow. What I learned of Mr. Frey are better said by those who have commented...

Lonny, Old friend and baseball guru: I so deeply appreciate your friendship over many years. What you taught me about baseball and life I will never forget. I have missed our breakfasts together, our correspondences, and woodcutting sessions in Snohomish. You were a blessing to the All-American game, your many fans(I among them), and to all those whose lives you touched. May you rest peacefully in your Elysian Fields of Dreams, buddy.

Thanks staying with us for so long Lonny and thank you for signing an autograph for me a few months back. Your the type of sports star a young man should look up to in life, and I was glad to have known who you were, being only 27, thanks also for being christian human being in this kind of a world.

Matt McVay (North Providence, R.I.)

Tom, Mike and family,

Thank you so very much for sharing Lonny with us at Loyalton. I loved listening to him as he watched the game or just stopping in to ask how he was and getting that smile. My memories will always include watching him "sun" out in the courtyard. Our facility, our home, was blessed with his presence and right now there is a very very large hole in our hearts at Loyalton. Each one of us is very grateful to you and your family for allowing us the pleasure of...

Dear Tom and Margaret Ann,
I am so grateful that I was privileged to get to know Faz during our Spades playing era and be included in his 90th brithday celebration. Those are very special memories. Those of us that got to spend some time with him are richer and hopefully, wiser for the opportunity. My love to all the family. I will see you on Monday.

May your soul find peace. And may your youthful spirit bask in the Field of Dreams forever.

From a fan -

As a longtime friend of his sons Tom and Mike, if a man is known by his children, Lonny Frey was an outstanding person, not just an outstanding baseball player. His strong character lives on in his sons and his extended family. He and they continue to make the world a better place.
David Hale, Tempe, AZ.