Frank Fried

(From Parker Mortuary)

My brother, Franklin Alfred Fried, went Home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO.

Frank was born on September 21, 1956 (mom’s birthday), at Bethesda Naval Hospital, MD, to two United States Marines, Alfred and Harriet. They lived in Alexandria, VA, (I came along a bit later). In 1960, when Dad went to Okinawa, Mom, Frank, and I moved to Greeley, CO, to live with Grammy and Pop Pop Geis. In 1961, Dad was transferred, and we moved to Philadelphia, PA, not far from Grammy and Pop Pop Fried.

In 1964, we moved to Barstow, CA. In 1966, Frank accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Vacation Bible School at a local church. In 1968, we moved to Camp Pendleton. When Dad retired, in 1971, we settled in San Marcos, CA. Frank attended San Marcos High School, and his love of the Lord blossomed when he found Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido. He graduated in 1974. He went on to attend Palomar Junior College in San Marcos and later graduated from BIOLA in La Mirada.

During his college days Frank worked as a sign painter in and around Escondido. Some of his artistry could be seen in billboards and shop windows around town. He was a Youth Pastor at Calvary Church of Santa Ana. Ultimately, he found his career as a chaplain at Olive Crest in Santa Ana where he shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with kids in foster care in Orange and Riverside counties for almost 40 years. He retired in 2021 and moved to southwest Missouri. He loved Missouri and found a new church family at Christ's Church of Joplin.

Perhaps his greatest love of all was being Pop Pop to his bonus grandson Tucker, who he loved beyond his imagination.

Shortly after Dad passed away in 2010, Mom moved to live near Frank in Orange County, CA. He was her constant companion and a great source of entertainment for her until she passed in 2014. He took such good care of her.

Frank made many friends along the way, and he continued to stay in touch with many of them. I am grateful for so many who have reached out in recent days expressing their love for Frank and his faith in the Lord, as well as sharing good times they had along the way. Frank will be greatly missed.

I will miss Frank’s phone calls, which usually occurred when he was driving somewhere and often included a joke or a story about an interesting adventure…and of course, his texts, which frequently included a GIF or a picture of his canine companion Pippin.

Frank, I know you’re resting peacefully and rejoicing to be at your heavenly Home with Jesus.

I love you, Franklin, and I will miss you greatly.

Your baby sister, Ruthie.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.