Name: Reposing for Charles Fry
Start: 2020-01-24T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-01-24T02:30:00.000Z
Location: Messinger Mortuaries- Indian School Mortuary

Charles Fry
May 31, 1927 - Jan. 20, 2020
Martinez, CA & Scottsdale, AZ
Charles Lindbergh Fry, 92, passed away in his sleep Monday, January 20, 2020 at the home he shared with his beloved wife Alice in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
After 68 years of marriage, Chuck stayed by Alice's side as long as his body would allow. Chuck shared love and laughs with close family and friends, and competitive dominoes with worthy opponents. He was even crowned World Domino Champion in San Francisco in 1970.
Charles was born on May 31, 1927 in Stigler, Oklahoma to Leela Mae and Dalquist Dalquin Fry.. He had four brothers and sisters - Yvonne, Don, Cotton, and Laverne.
Chuck and his family lived through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl and were shaped by hardship and close kin.
Chuck played basketball with a vengeance and after graduating from Bartlesville High School in 1944, went on to play for Oklahoma State on a scholarship and graduated from East Texas Baptist College in 1949 where he earned all-state honors.
He served his country well in the Navy from 1944-1945 on the Heavy Cruiser Chicago.
Charles met his beautiful and brainy wife Alice Jean in 1950 while teaching and coaching at Pine Tree High School in Texas. He had the good sense to marry her in 1951.
Chuck and Alice moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Alice worked for Cessna and Chuck worked for Boeing to save enough money to kick start a business of their own. They wisely invested in Chuck's grocery store venture with his brother Don - Fry's Food Stores in 1955 in Richmond, California.
Many will know the phrase "Your best buys are always at Fry's." Chuck was a visionary and he and his brother grew their grocery store chain from one to many, always striving for great quality at a good price.
They eventually sold to the mega-chain Kroger and Alice continued to shop at Fry's and instruct loyal employees on how to provide worthy service. Chuck enjoyed looking at his his Kroger stock as it gained value over the years.Charles and Alice raised three rambunctious boys - John, Randy and Dave on their ranch in Martinez, California.
The Fry boys eventually pooled their resources and formed Fry's Electronics in 1985. Inspired by Dad's grocery business and the burgeoning computer industry - it was the Silicon Valley synthesis of computer chips and potato chips.
Chuck and Alice are blessed with ten grandchildren - Natalie, Joshua, Lina, Amora, Erica, Will, Jake, David, Brad and Amy: and nine great grandchildren - Nicole, Megan, Haley, Evan, Elise, Charlie, Kaylee, MacKenzie, and Logan.
They have numerous and much-loved nieces and nephews.
Charles Lindbergh Fry will be lying in repose on Thursday, January 23, 2020 from 5pm until 7:30pm at Messinger Mortuary at 7601 East Indian School Road in Scottsdale, Arizona. He will be flown back to the Bay Area for his memorial on Monday, January 27, 2020 at 11am at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette, California.

View the online memorial for Charles Fry

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Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jan. 24, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Fry

Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.

11 Entries

Sue and Donnie Wargo

July 22, 2020

To the Fry Family , So sorry to hear about Mr. Fry passing I know I'm a little late but we moved to Tucson after we Retired . I met Mr and Mrs Fry when I was a Chef at Arizona Country Club where they were a member of. I always look forward when they came in to the club for lunch they were one of the nicest people that I met while working there. They would always say hello to me and I would stop and talk to them when I had the chance. He will be missed by everyone who knew him .I sorry I missed his passing but Mr Fry R.I.P.

Scott Sloneker

January 29, 2020

I am so sorry to hear this..Chuck taught me how to run a grocery store..a skill I used for 38 years. He was an inspiration to me and to many others.

Barbie Vanier

January 25, 2020

Dearest Mr. Fry--It is with heavy heart I learned of your passing this morning. Chuck and Alice, I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful family many decades ago while I was going with your son "Foods" ;-)

I take away so many fond memories and yes, lessons from you. This morning, I am remembering the week long trip to Disneyland with your family. We had a blast, and your boys were not shy about ordering room service. It was about 5 days in you gathered all us kids with the room service bill in your hand, and told us the amount of this bill was as much as you were paid when you first started your working life! this early impression of historical fiscal worth and responsibliity, now looking back, was invaluable.

God Bless you and your entire family, you will never be forgotten.

Bob, Kris, & Stacy Sibley Family

January 25, 2020

May God bless & keep you safe! Praying for your family in this time of sorrow. Sending our love with hugs to all your family members, Randy, our son, his wife, & our Grandchildren!

Stella Tiscarwno

January 24, 2020

I took care of Mr. Fry at Mt Diablo hosp ICU. He was always my favorite patient and I loved him and his wife. Very special people. Some patients you never forget and he was one of them. Heartfelt condolences. Stella Tiscareno RN. [email protected]

Anna N. Bolla

January 24, 2020

My father Nick Bolla worked for Mr. Fry for 28 years.
Chuck always treated him with great respect & kept in touch over the years. Mr. Fry was a class act. Our dad always appreciated his generosity of spirit & was quite touched when Mr. Fry called to check on him after learning that he had fallen ill with cancer. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Fry family at this sad time.

BOB NORMAN

January 23, 2020

DEAREST ALICE
IT WAS SO SAD TO HEAR OF MR FRYS PASSING. HE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN. I WILL MISS OUR CALLS.
GOD WILL TRULY BLESS YOU FOR YOUR LOVE CARE AND DEDICATION TO HIM.
I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH MY CARING FOR YOU BOTH.
ALWAYS
BOB NORMAN

Whispering Love Arrangement - BASKET INCLUDED

ROBERT nORMAN

Sent Flowers

Debbie Bressem

January 23, 2020

It's been more than forty years since I worked at the main office in El Sobrante. I remember when he would bring in homemade items. He always treated us as individuals and asked how we were doing and really cared. I judged all my future bosses by him. Forty five years later I can say I've never had a better, kinder boss.

Christmas Day with the Boys and their girlfriends

Mark Burke

January 22, 2020

Dear Mr Fry It with a heavy heart to hear of your passing. I learned so much from you but you're kindness were my favorite moments Rest In Peace. I love you!!! Love you to Alice!!

Mark J Burke

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