Phillip Frey

Jan 7, 1942 - Feb 29, 2012 OKLAHOMA CITY Phillip Lee Frey, of Oklahoma City, age 70, passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Kay Pickett Frey; and their three children: Lexy Frey-Warden, her husband Kent and daughter Alia, of Los Angeles; Dr. Bret Frey, wife Michelle and daughter Ella, and his children Olivia and Nicholas, of OKC; and Yancy and her husband Geoff Peveto of Austin. He was the son of the late Raymond Frey and Margaret Boone Frey of Chickasha. Phillip grew up working on the family farm, attending 4-H Club, Boy Scouts, Order of the Arrow, was a devoted altar boy to the Holy Name Parish, and proud of his American Indian heritage. He attended Saint Joseph's Academy for 12 years (Class of 1960) and St. Gregory's College in Shawnee, where he was awarded a scholarship playing basketball. He also attended OSU and received his Bachelor's and worked on his Master's Degree in Journalism. He was the Editor of the Daily O'Collegian paper until he graduated in 1965. He worked as a journalist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Outdoor Oklahoman, The Daily Oklahoman and Orbit Magazine. As "The Fan Man," he turned his hobby of restoring antique ceiling fans into a successful business for more than thirty years, selling to customers around the globe. As quoted in Oklahoma Today, he said, "If I can make a living by myself, on my own terms, and at my own speed, that is success." Phillip was also the beloved storyteller of the family, full of wit and humor and had many friends visit his workshop to talk and be around his infectious, positive attitude and warm, welcoming smile. Also surviving him is his brother, Dr. Joe Frey and wife Karen Coates Frey of San Antonio; sister, Ramona Monroe of Newberg, OR; and sister, Mary Frey-Fowler of St. Gregory's in Shawnee. Phillip was preceded in death by his sister, Oneita Frey Peters of Marquette, MI. Private family services held at Smith & Kernke in OKC. Phillip was loved by all who knew him, and we celebrate his life.