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Norman Fries Obituary
The Savannah native was a graduate of Jenkins High School and attended the University of Tennessee on a swimming scholarship. After college, he managed the family distribution center, Norman W. Fries, Inc., in Savannah. In 1989, he moved to the Claxton area and worked at the company headquarters. Norman then became president of Claxton Cold Storage until his retirement.
He was a longtime member of the board of directors of Claxton Poultry Farms and was a founding partner in Fries Farms. He was on the boards of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, The Refrigeration Research & Education Foundation and World Food Logistics Organization.
In spite of his long-term illness, he continued to enjoy his love of fishing, hunting and shooting. Norman hunted big game all over the world, including Africa, Russia and Asia. He was extremely proud of his trophy room, where he displayed the animals that he collected during his travels. Norman was an avid gun collector and crafted unique guns and knives. He continued to compete in shooting events until shortly before his passing.
Norman Jr. was preceded in death by his father, Norman Warren Fries Sr.; and brother, Steven Alton Fries.
Survivors: his wife, Jennifer Austin Fries of Register; his mother, Doris Strickland Fries of Claxton; two sons, Mikell (Wendy) Fries of Claxton and Jason (Holly) Fries of Texas; one sister, Pamela (Joseph) Usher of Savannah; two grandchildren, Jackson and Jonathon Fries of Claxton; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Saturday, June 25, 2011, 10 a.m. until noon at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home in Claxton, Ga.
Memorial service: Saturday, June 25, 12:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Claxton, Ga.
Remembrances: Bridges of Hope, 1326 Antioch Church Road, Homerville, Ga., 31634; Damascus House, 215 South Zetterower Street, Statesboro, GA 30458; or First Baptist Church, 313 West Main Street, Claxton, Ga. 30417.
Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, June 24, 2011
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Norman Fries
Patrice
June 28, 2025
Hi Norman! I miss you!!! You will never be forgotten!
I remember the conversations we had and still cherrish all your advise.
Patrice Watkins
October 26, 2022
My friend Norman! I still miss you and love you for teaching me high standards! Loving you infinitely!!!!
Stan Brantley
June 18, 2021
Still see him getting out of his truck at plant always looking sharp in jeans & boots he was one of a kind learned a lot from him.
Stan Brantley
June 18, 2020
Still see him in that starched white shirt, blue jeans and cowboy boots looking like the Marlboro Man. He taught me not to except standard always push for excellence in all you do. Gone way to soon
Julia Proctor
June 29, 2011
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Libby Proctor
June 29, 2011
Jennifer, may God bless you and your family in your time of grief. We will never forget how his time here was important. He helped many in need.
Richard Geriner, Sr.
June 29, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on the loss of Norman....
David Wall
June 28, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of Norman's passing. Over the years he was not only a great customer of Savannah Tire, but I considered him a good friend above and beyond. I will always cherish the memories.
Mike McLeod
June 27, 2011
Mrs. Fries,
You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers since I found out about Norman's passing. May God bless you!
STAN BRANTLEY
June 27, 2011
HE WAS THE (MARLBORO MAN)(A MAN'S MAN) I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW GOOD HE WAS TO ME AS AN EMPOLYEE AND A FREIND. MAY HE REST IN PEACE WITH THE BIG OUTFITTER IN THE SKY.
Benny &Judy Gilbreth
June 26, 2011
To the Fries Familes:
Benny and I just got in from a trip Saturday night and heard of Mr. Normans passing this evening. So sorry to hear of all of your loss.
A man for so much to live for to be taken away in just his middle years of life. But the master know the best for all. May God wrap his arms of love around all and help you to understand the death of your love one.
Debra Odom
June 26, 2011
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
LaVERNE Spell
June 25, 2011
Mrs Fries,I am sorry to hear of the passing of Norman,I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
W. H. Bill Smith
June 25, 2011
May the God of all comfort be with Norman's whole family. Though I have not seen Norman since highschool I still remember his smile and the good days we had together in Jr. high as well as highscool. I will always remember him!
Edwin Longwater
June 25, 2011
I am very sorry to hear about Norm,a very special person...spent many enjoyable times with Norman fishing,smoking Cuban Cigars , listening to live blues and having interesting conversations...Edwin Longwater,Tybee Island
June 24, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family Norm was a special special person, to all the good times we had they will always be remembered Bobbi Mccoy Savannah, Georgia
Faye Cunningham
June 24, 2011
Dear Fries family,
So sorry to hear of Norman's passing. Our prayers are with all of you during this time. My son James and Jason were very good friends and they have had lots of fun with Norman and his family, hunting, fishing and shooting at gun clun. He will miss all the good times but will always have fond memories.
Ann Taylor
June 24, 2011
Condolences.
brenda harn
June 24, 2011
So sorry to hear about Norman. He was a really nice person. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Norman and I went to Jenkins together. God Bless your family.
Blake and Sandy Powers
June 24, 2011
Miss Jennifer,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you and your family during this difficult time.
Christy James
June 24, 2011
May the Lord watch over your family in this time of sorrow. Keep your memories close and trust in the Lord. God bless you all.
Senior Care Pharmacy, Statesboro
Ina June Price Olvey
June 24, 2011
We are all here but for a brief moment in time. God determined Norman had completed his purpose and Norman was well aware that his life was not his own. He demonstrated this each time he reached out to others. His recovery is Heaven and that is eternal. He is not gone......he continues to live in our hearts and we demonstrate this when we reach out too. Ina June Price (Olvey)
james hatfield
June 24, 2011
I got to know Mr.fries in the year that I took him to doctor and personal meeting's,I'm glad to say he was my friend! god bless you and your family!
June 24, 2011
So very sorry for your loss God bless you all JoAnna Turner Tybee Isl, Ga.
Amanda Jones Little
June 24, 2011
May peace be with all of you in this time of sorrow. Mr. Norman was a wonderful man that I had the honor of working for at Claxton Cold Storage. My prayers are with you!
Jim Eure
June 24, 2011
Norman was such a wonderful person! I can remember his great smile and wonderful personality. There was only one Norman Fries period! Special thoughts to Jennifer,Mrs.Fries,Pamela, Jason,Mikell and their families.Norman will be so missed!
brenda baggett
June 24, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
gail stubbs
June 24, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bill & Diane Shehane
June 23, 2011
Life as we know it is much too short and I greave the fact I met Mr. Fries much too late in my 65 years. May he rest in peace and the comfort of God be with his family during this very difficult time.
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