Joe Fry

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Joseph (Joe) Philip Fry, age 90, of Baxter Springs, KS, formerly of Melrose, KS, entered his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born at home near Keelville, KS on March 9, 1933, the youngest of five children born to the union of John Galieo Fry and Minnie Francis Young. 

He was married to Donna M. Vanatta on February 20, 1952. To this union were born three children, Joe Don, Vicki, and Michael. 

In August 2001, he was preceded in death by his wife, Donna. In 2002, Joe was married to Betty Sue Hart, she preceded him in death in September 2004. In August 2008, he was married to Laura Alline Mead, she survives of the home. 

Other survivors include his daughter, Vicki Bradley (Rod) of Athol, Idaho, son, Michael Fry (Barbara) of Baton Rouge, LA, daughter-in-law, Pat Fry of Webb City, MO; step-children Roy Dean Hart (Marla) of Chetopa, KS, Nancy Nading (Kelly) of Chetopa, KS, Rex Hart of Grove OK, Lourie Mead-Fry, of Oronogo, MO, Lisa Shireman (Tom) of Riverton, KS, and Amber Mead of Melrose, KS. Six grandchildren, Levi Fry (Stephanie) of Albertville, MN, Toby Fry (Jennifer) of Quapaw, OK, Sara Stuck (Greg) of Webb City, MO, Heath Bradley of Melrose, KS, Brian Fry (Nicole) of Rockledge, FL and Katriel Fry of Nashville, TN. Step grandchildren, Amy Comer (Rick), Baxter Springs, James Hart, Chicago, IL, Jennifer Lawson, Chetopa KS, Cliff Davis, Wichita, Tucker Hart, (Brikklyn), Elizabeth Hart, Colton (Jamie) Hart, Garrett Mead, Oronogo, MO, Delaynee Tynon (Jarrod) of Welch, OK, Haylyn Neal of Welch OK, Zayne Shireman of Welch OK, Chase Mead (Jessica) of Baxter Springs, KS, Dalton Mead. (Shawna) of Melrose, KS and Bayleigh Mead of Melrose KS, Nine great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and seventeen step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Jim and John Fry, two sisters, June Johnson, Julia Jarrett, his wife, Donna, wife Betty Sue, and son, Joe Don Fry in 2016.

Joe was a farmer, rancher and retired in 1994 as a truck driver for Yellow Freight Lines after a 40-year career. In 1993, Joe was named the Kansas Driver of the Year by the Kansas Motor Carrier Assoc, He received numerous safety and driving awards, which included 5 million accident-free miles driven.

If you knew Joe, you knew he was a man of faith and was not shy about sharing what God had done for him in his life. He taught Sunday School, served as Sunday School Superintendent and was an elder of Keelville Church, rural Baxter Springs. He was known by many as a Bible Scholar and he loved to teach on the book of Revelation.

Services will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Derfelt Chapel, Baxter Springs. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to the Baxter Ministerial Alliance in memory of Joe. The family welcomes visitors at the home in Baxter anytime. Online condolences may be made at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.