Gary Fielding Fry , 78 of Minerva, passed away Monday, September 11, after a three-and-a-half-year illness following a stroke.

He was one of the founders of Great Trail Golf Course, which he was instrumental in building from the ground up. Over more than 30 years, he worked tirelessly to maintain and improve the course and loved seeing it grow from cornfields and forest into a beautiful course. In addition to his time at Great Trail, he worked for his late father at Lincoln Way Furniture for more than 50 years where he was a flooring installer and sales clerk. It was not unusual to see him up before sunrise at the golf course before working a full day at the furniture store, only to return to the golf course to finish up the evening. Over the course of his career, he exemplified a strong work ethic, which he passed onto his children – he took great pride in their many accomplishments.

Gary is preceded in death by two sons, Tracy Lee and Craig Fielding; and his father, Romain Fry.  He is survived by the love of his life, Linda (Reed) Fry whom he married in 1957, two daughters Sherry (Maria Shinn) Fry, April (Dave) Jamerson, one son Ryan (Marika) Fry, daughter-in-law Margret Fry, mother Geraldine Fry, sister Laurie (Walt) McClellan, brothers Richard (the late Beverly) Fry and Steve (Cathy) Fry, and brother-in-law Tom (Bee) Lally. He is also survived by six grandsons Erik, Bret, Elijah, Trey, Matthew and Keegan; six granddaughters Rachel, Crystal, Sarah, Caroline, Mia and Ragan; and one great granddaughter Scarlette and several nieces.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no service. The family would like to thank Alliance Area Hospice for their support and special thanks to his dedicated caregiver Donna Roush who took exceptional care of him during the final six months of his life.