Joseph (Joe) Philip Fry, 90, Baxter Springs, formerly of Melrose, died Tuesday, February 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Born at home near Keelville March 9, 1933, the youngest of five children Joe was the son of John Galieo Fry and Minnie Francis Young.
Joe and Donna M. Vanatta were united in marriage February 20, 1952. To this union were born three children, Joe Don, Vicki, and Michael. She preceded him in death in August 2001. In 2002, Joe was married to Betty Sue Hart, she preceded him in death in September 2004.
In August 2008, Joe and Laura Alline Mead were united in marriage, she survives of the home.
In addition to his parents and wives Donna and Betty Sue, Joe was preceded in death by two brothers Jim and John Fry, two sisters, June Johnson, Julia Jarrett and son, Joe Don Fry in 2016.
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; Nancy Nading (Kelly) of Chetopa; Rex Hart of Grove Okla., Lourie Mead-Fry, of Oronogo, Mo., Lisa Shireman (Tom) of Riverton, and Amber Mead of Melrose. 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, Brian Fry (Nicole) of Rockledge, Fla. and Katriel Fry of Nashville, Tenn.; Step grandchildren, Amy Comer (Rick), Baxter Springs; James Hart, Chicago, Ill., Jennifer Lawson, Chetopa; Cliff Davis, Wichita; Tucker Hart, (Brikklyn); Elizabeth Hart; Colton (Jamie) Hart; Garrett Mead, Oronogo, Mo.; Delaynee Tynon (Jarrod) of Welch, Okla.; Haylyn Neal of Welch, Okla.; Zayne Shireman of Welch, Okla., Chase Mead (Jessica) of Baxter Springs; Dalton Mead. (Shawna) of Melrose; and Bayleigh Mead of Melrose; Nine great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and seventeen step great grandchildren also survive.
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 Association. He received numerous safety and driving awards, which included five million accident-free miles driven.
Joe 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 Tuesday, February 27 at 1 p.m. 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.