Gordon Fry

Gordon Fry, 87, of Arkansas City, and formerly Coffeyville, passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024. 

Gordon was born on September 5, 1936, in Stillwater, OK to Edgar and Ruth (Carr) Fry. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1954 and played football at Cowley County Community College where he met his wife, Violet Anderson. They were married 63 years and raised a family they were very proud of. 

Gordon worked as a fireman for over 40 years in Arkansas City, Coffeyville, and Parsons, serving as the Fire Chief in Coffeyville and Parsons. He also taught fire science classes at Labette County Community College and at the University of Kansas. He and Violet returned to Arkansas City in 2006. In retirement, he gave back to the communities in which he lived through service on the Coffeyville City Commission, the Arkansas City Historic Preservation Board, and also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Arkansas City. 

In his spare time, Gordon kept busy. He raised rabbits, served in leadership positions in national associations and was a highly sought out judge. In addition, he enjoyed playing golf, umpiring high school baseball games, attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events, and researching his family’s history. 

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his surviving family: two sons, James (Deb) Fry, Arkansas City; and Aaron (Anita) Fry, Universal City, Texas; and daughter Arneda (Bob) Shelton, Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren: AJ (Theresa) Fry, New Braunfels, Texas; Michael Shelton, Lawrence, Kansas; Jacob (Amber) Fry, Austin, Texas; Matthew (Brooke) Fry, Salado, Texas; Jeffrey Shelton, Rapid City, South Dakota; Micah Fry (Ruy Vaz); and Nathan Fry, Arkansas City; great-grandchildren: Lena Fry, Wesley Fry, Jolene Fry, and Gio Vaz. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Violet, and brother Joe Fry.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arkansas City Scout Troop 328, donations may be left in care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home.