Gerald Clarence Fry

Gerald C. Fry age 98 years young, passed peacefully into eternal life on July 25, 2021 at Pine Valley Community Village. Born in Richland County to Frank David Fry and Victoria Bell Robinson. He grew up on the family farm surrounded by the love of family. While hauling milk for the Ash Creek Cheese Factory, he met Erma Alice Marshall, his lifelong love and together they celebrated 75 wonderful years of marriage. Gerald and Erma worked side-by-side in the cheese making business for 49 years. He made great cheese and enjoyed having his son Fred and grandson Dan join him in the business for many years. Even after working 12-14 hour days, he always found time for his family. He retired from the Sylvan Creamery Company in 1978. He enjoyed retirement to the fullest. He loved spending time with family and friends on Red Cedar lake; camping in their shiny RV and going fishing at the crack of dawn! Captain Gerald made sure that everyone in the boat caught fish! His Captain duties didn't stop on the water as he would then clean all the fish so Erma could fry them. He was always up for an adventure, whether it was a hot game of euchre, snowmobiling with friends, deer hunting, visiting Erma's favorite cousins on the Parker Centennial Farm, or traveling in his polished RV. Some of those travels included Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and the west coast. A man with many talents, he was a self-taught plumber, electrician, HVAC, welder, builder, painter, auto mechanic, and there wasn't anything he couldn't fix! He enjoyed cutting wood to heat their home and continued his daily 1-2 mile walk well into his 90's! Because of his strong work ethic, if family or friends needed help, he was always there to assist them, no matter how big of task! Gerald always had a smile and his laugh would light up a room. Gerald and Erma never missed an opportunity to dance as they both loved music and dancing. He enjoyed country music and two of his favorites were Cab Driver and the Yellow Rose of Texas! He was a WWII veteran and proudly served in the US Army. Family was very important to him, especially at Christmas time. Everyone would gather for a homemade meal, prepared by Erma, and served with his favorite pumpkin pie! He always said he only liked two kinds of pie, hot and cold! Gerald is survived by his daughter Alice (Clinton) Soule; three grandchildren Danny (Lori) Fry, Deborah (Kevin) McCoy, Tammy Fry (Walter Judy); three great grandchildren Bill (Ashley) Fry, Michael (Amber) McCoy and James McCoy; six great great grandchildren Dominyk, and MariJessy Fry, Bradley, Aliyah, Tatum, and Kevin “Harry” McCoy; sister, Fern Bingham; many nieces and nephews, dear friends Norma and the late Jim Waldsmith, Jeanette and John Kaderavek and very special neighbors Nate, Barbara, Logan and Brenna Olson. Gerald and Erma always enjoyed Logan and Brenna's early morning visits for coffee and cornflakes! He was preceded in death by his wife, Erma; son and daughter-in-law Frederick and Mary Fry; great granddaughter Heather Fry, his parents; brothers Clyde, Floyd, Harold; sisters Ruby White, Melva Keller, and Shirley Bindl. A celebration of Gerald's life will be October 4, 2021 from 3:00 -8:00p.m. at Chapters on the Horizon, 12815 River Drive, Viola, WI. Ron Fruit will lead us in a tribute to Gerald at 4:30 p.m. Please bring a story or memory to share. A private military burial will be on October 5, 2021. Memorials can be made to Pine Valley Community Village Foundation Shelter Fund. The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Richardson for his personalized care for many years and ALL the outstanding staff at Pine Valley Assisted Living. He appreciated each of you and always said you are the BEST! Gerald was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather who left a legacy of a long life well lived! Our world will not be the same without his one-of-a-kind smile and laugh. Love ya! www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com .

Gerald Clarence Fry

January 12, 1923 - July 25, 2021