Jack Weldon Frye

October 13, 1926 - December 8, 2020

Jack Weldon Frye, a member of The Greatest Generation and a defender of our country, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at his residence at The Village at Bay Ridge. Jack was born on October 13, 1926, in Traverse City, a place he loved dearly and treasured his entire life. He graduated from Central High School in Traverse City in 1944 and then entered the service of our country, serving in the U. S. Navy. He later served with the U. S. Army until he retired in 1986. Jack would continue his education at Central Michigan University where he earned his liberal arts degree in 1951. He then earned his Master’s Degree in social work at The University of Michigan in 1953. Working as a social worker, Jack began his career with Child and Family Services in Marquette, and later transferred to the Detroit area and then to Saginaw where he served as the Director of Child and Family Services until his retirement. He would move back to his beloved Traverse City following his retirement. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church and also was a longtime volunteer at the Traverse City Visitors Center. Surviving Jack are his children, Lawrence R. (Sharon) Frye of Florida, Laura Frye Veldhuis of Mt. Pleasant, Kevin J. (Donna) Frye of Dayton, OH; his grandchildren, Kevin Frye and Kristin Frye; Blake Veldhuis and Blaine Veldhuis; Traci Nestor and Joshua Frye. Also surviving are his great grandchildren, Cameron and Elliana. Jack's sister, Sally Payton, half-sister Verda Nicolas. and sister-in-law Emily Knapp. Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Presca Elizabeth (Olson) Feiger, his brother H. Charles Frye, half-brother Art Knapp and sister-in-law Nancy Frye. A time to remember Jack will take place in the spring of 2021. Inurnment will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. For a more lasting memorial to Jack, contributions may be directed to Honor Flight (a trip that Jack was able to make and so enjoyed) c/o Mid-Michigan Honor Flight, P. O. Box 385, Mecosta, MI 49332 or online at www.midmichiganhonorflight.com.