VERO BEACH – Donald Mervin Fry entered into eternal rest on Saturday, June 23, 2018 after a brief hospitalization in Vero Beach, Florida.
Don lived a full and interesting life calling Pennsylvania his home; born May 17, 1932 in Harrisburg, PA as the youngest child to the late Mervin Levi (ML) and Carrie Mae (Barnhart) Fry. He grew up in Harrisburg with a sister, Mildred and two brothers, Charles and Robert and was a John Harris graduate.
Don served in the US Navy during the Korean War (1952-1956) and was stationed out of Key West, FL. He served on the USS Bennington (CV-20) and the USS H.W. Gilmore as a Radarman (RD-3). He remained a member of the American Legion, Robert H. Hoke Post 272.
Don began his career at Bell Telephone at the age of 16 working in the mail room, he returned post his military tour of duty and worked in Transportation and Safety throughout his 40 plus years. In 1990, he choose to take early retirement and with his life companion, Dawn W Fry, they traveled the USA in their Bounder RV capturing new sights each day and visiting family and friends everywhere they wandered.
Don was an enthusiastic volunteer with Boy Scouts of America, Telephone Pioneers, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Linglestown Life United Methodist Church to name a few.
His 47 years of service to the Boy Scouts in both Troop and Council positions was well recognized and earned him the Silver Beaver Award (1990) by the National Council for his distinguished service to youth, the Vigil Honor (1981) in the Order of the Arrow Susquehannock Lodge 11, and the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Committee’s Centurion Award recognizing Local Heroes for service to their Lodge and exemplifying the Scout Oath and Laws in their daily lives. And for all who knew him, Don was a very proud Beaver Woodbadge.
He was an avid believer in youth sports program; coaching baseball at Linglestown Koons Park and always attended/cheered for friends and family events from wrestling to soccer to baseball.
A kind man with a strong belief in the goodness of people, he mentored many young people through tough times and extended his super-hero father image to family and friends. Don will be remembered for his easy manner, positive outlook, with always a story to tell.
Left behind to celebrate his memories are his wife of 64 years, Dawn W Fry; daughter, Pamela K Fry with Eric Gjerde of Melbourne Beach, FL; son, Brian D Fry with Kathy Sullivan of Palatine, IL; and son, Larry N Fry of Park City, Utah.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are sent to the Keystone Area Council, BSA, 1 Baden Powell Lane, Mechanicsburg PA 17050-2344 in Don’s honor or his favorite camp, Friends of Hidden Valley, c/o NBFC, PO Box 389, Mechanicsburg PA 17055-0389.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 7th, 1:00 p.m. at Linglestown Life UM Church.
