Raymond FRICK

1946 - 2018

FRICK, Raymond Raymond Frick's journey began on May 25, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio, where he was born to Bernard Frederick and Christena Cecelia Frick. Raymond was one of four boys; he spent his childhood days in East Toledo, with his three brothers Bernie, Ronnie, and Bob. "I had great parents, who showed me tremendous love and provided me with a solid foundation," is how Ray would regularly refer to the two individuals that started him out in life. Ray was proud of where he came from and always felt privileged to be a Frick. When Raymond wasn't outside running around the neighborhood, or inside, giving his mother a run for her money, he was hard at work. Strong work ethic has always been a part of who Ray was. At age 11, he weeded rows of carrots for a local farmer. From there he began work as a grocery carry out boy. Throughout his high school days, Raymond spent time flipping burgers and taking orders at McDonald's. This innate work ethic, along with his continuing desire to help others, would one day lead Ray to be honored as a Master Mason, and later, a Kentucky Colonel for his extensive support of the Appalachian community in the Dayton, OH area. Raymond attended Waite High School, a place he held dear to his heart. Although Ray graduated from Waite in 1964, he was blessed to carry on with him lifelong friendships. He remained connected with Waite High School and continued to give back. Ray always said, "Never forget where you came from," which he most certainly never did. Ray was named honorary chairman of Waite's centennial celebration in 2014. It was his wish to always continue to support Waite High School; so, he put in place The Waite Frick Family Scholarship Fund. With some work experience and high school under his belt, it was off to college for Ray. He continued his education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While at Miami, Ray played football and received his bachelor's degree in education. During this time Ray's eldest son Christopher was born. Miami was another institution that Raymond remained connected with and continued to give back to over the years. He funded the Ron Frick Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Center and created the Ron Frick Scholarship for Undergraduate Athletic Trainers, in honor of his brother Ronnie, who also attended Miami University. After graduation, Raymond began teaching and coaching in the Toledo Public School system. Not long after, he returned to school to receive his master's in education from Bowling Green State University; where he has since created a scholarship fund in honor of his eldest brother Bernie. While in school, to make ends meet, Ray had to pick up two part-time jobs. One of those part-time jobs was crowd control for Dixie Electric Company, a local nightclub. Once he stepped foot in the door, a switch was flipped, and Raymond embarked on his next adventure. "While I was a floorwalker for Dixie, I got a bright idea that I would like to be in the nightclub business." So, in classic Ray fashion, he went after it. He first became a shareholder in Dixie Electric Company in Dayton, OH. Thereafter, a location in Charlotte, NC, and later one in Myrtle Beach, SC. The nightclub business was booming, and countless memories were being made, but Ray ultimately decided that he was ready for something new. In 1985, he realized that his next adventure would be Fricker's. Ray's vision for Fricker's was for it to be a place for everyone - family-friendly, couple-friendly, single-friendly; he knew there was a way to do it and he was going to make sure to do it right. Fricker's originated in Dayton, Ohio with no vision of more than one store. "For the first couple of years, it was tough, I sold everything I had to keep it going. People thought I was crazy. I was trying to convince people to eat chicken wings for dinner," is how Ray described those early years after founding the company. In 1988 Fricker's opened a second location in Dayton and later one in Perrysburg in 1989. Under Ray's leadership the Fricker's restaurant brand took off and today has grown to over 20 company-owned and franchise locations throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. A few short years after the Perrysburg location opened, Andrew Raymond Frick entered the world in 1991. Ray knew that his priorities with the business would change, and once again his whole heart would be poured into being a father. Amanda Leigh Frick was born two years later in 1993. Both children are a testimony that Ray was always a dad first and foremost. So much love filled Ray's life; but the love of his life could only be fulfilled by one, Shannon Riley Frick. Ray and Shannon were married on June 25, 2004. They shared a life full of love and laughter. Ray had some personal loves of his own. If you knew Ray well, you knew him to have a lifelong love affair with coffee, dark sunglasses, reading, and traveling. Ray meant something different to each person who knew him. He had a unique ability to connect with everyone he met on a personal level while making them feel special. Ray touched the lives of so many and has left countless memories to be shared. Ray knew he was moving on to his next life and to that, he said, "Thank you for my life, my cup runneth over. No regrets, no apologies." Ray Frick lived a full life, and he lived it his way. Now we celebrate 72 years of wisdom, 7 decades of memories, 866 months of happiness, 26,375 days of laughter, 633,000 hours of love, and one extraordinary life. Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard F. Frick and Christena C. Frick; and his brothers Bernard A. Frick and Ronald G. Frick. Raymond is survived by his wife, Shannon R. Frick; his children, Andrew R. Frick, Amanda L. Frick, and Christopher H. Frick; and his brother Robert J. Frick. Friends and family will be received from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2018, at the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary Street, Perrysburg, Ohio (419- 874-3133). The service will be held on Friday, August 17, 2018, at the Maumee Theatre, 601 Conant Street, Maumee, Ohio at 11:00 a.m. Friends and family will be received prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider The Waite Frick Family Scholarship Fund 301 Morrison Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43605 Attn: cashier. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.witzlershank.com.