Donald G. Frye Jr. finished his last shift at 7:55 a.m. on June 5, 2016. I always marveled at his work ethic, his love for his family and friends and his will to live a fulfilled life. He was born on Jan. 31, 1939, in Nashville, Tennessee, to parents Donald G. Frye Sr. and Mary T. Jefferson. The oldest of three boys, his brothers, William (deceased 1997) and James of Cleveland, Tennessee, he valued the bonds of family as he grew up with aunts, uncles and cousins enjoying the rich breadth of family history and the genealogy of where his people came from. He struggled with asthma as a child, and his brother, Jim, remembers him going to the doctor for adrenaline shots and returning breathing better but shaking from the stimulant.
He went to college at the University of Tampa where he earned a BS in business but more importantly he met the love of his life, Cynthia L. Cassell, his constant support, soul mate and rock through so many storms. They were married in 1962 on his 23rd birthday. In 1963 they took a trip to Butte, Montana, to visit his parents while his father worked as an engineer. In January 1964 they packed their few precious possessions, including a cat and a turtle, into a 1959 Willy’s Jeep and moved to Bozeman which has been home ever since.
He was never idle as he searched for his life’s calling-working as a hospital orderly, a hardware store clerk, newspaper ad man and car salesman to name a few. In 1969 he bought the Haufbrau bar in Bozeman where he found his purpose and continued his career as a larger than life character, a person of the people and a man who would try to help anyone he could. He enjoyed the business of libation and hospitality so much he and Cyn started the Filling Station, the sister bar in 1976 where he perpetuated his pranks, one liners and love of people. To know him was to laugh, to have a drink with him was to join the family and to share his smile and the sparkle in his blue eyes was to love him. He loved going to work because he knew that was where his family and friends would be.
He was a man of deep faith and spirituality and he always found comfort at First Presbyterian Church. He served as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader, and elder in the church and later a deacon and always devoted congregant. He loved to watch the light play through the stained glass in the church and absorb the sound of the organ as he communed with family and God. He was equally comfortable in a church pew or sitting on a bar stool.
His health proved to be a constant struggle. A doctor gave him six months to live in 1983, but against all odds he rose to this occasion and so many more as his will to live, his faith in our Heavenly Father and love of life and family were greater than any affliction. Cyn’s devotion and his love of family and friends would not allow him to go to the light no matter how many times it was offered. We all learned to never miss a chance to say ‘I love you’ and to be generous with hugs as you are never sure when the last time to express this will be.
He is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia; his children, Donald G. III (Jennifer) Frye, William T. (Angela) Frye and Eulalie E. (Jake) Cook; and three heartbroken granddaughters, Miriam, Frances and Effie Josephine Frye. He is also survived by his youngest brother, James (Jaqueline) Frye, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He lifted us up as children, taught us to lift ourselves up as adults and now we lift him up to join the angels.
While we lost a husband, brother, father and grandfather Bozeman and its citizens lost a community treasure. He remembered everyone he ever met by name and drink and took the time to learn who they were and where they came from. We have a huge hole in our lives but memories and stories abound and provide comfort. Please share a Frye story, be free with hugs and don’t miss this opportunity to tell someone you care about you love them. While we celebrate his last last call we take comfort in knowing his body and health are now complete and he is reunited with family, friends and Heavenly Father he loved so deeply. To honor his generous spirit if you choose, instead of flowers please donate to First Presbyterian Church, his spiritual home; Rockhaven Camp; or any charity that is dear to you.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 13 from 12 to 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Funeral Services to begin at 2 p.m. A Time of Remembrance will take place at 5 p.m. at the Filling Station.
For those unable to attend, Don’s service will be available for viewing at: http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/708313
Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com –
