James Lawrence Frey

Beaver City, Nebraska James Lawrence Frey, age 88, of Beaver City, Nebraska passed away on December 31, 2012 at the Beaver City Manor, in Beaver City, Nebraska. He was born December 30, 1924 to Lawrence M. and Grace E. (Grove) Frey of rural Abilene, Kansas. Jim attended elementary school through 8th grade at Dickinson County Schools. In high school he stayed with his sister Helen Eyster in Thomas, Oklahoma, so he could attend Jabbok Bible School. While there, he earned his room and board milking Jersey cows. Following graduation in 1942, he moved to California and began working at the Shady Grove Dairy until he entered the U.S. Marine Corps on May 18, 1944. He was first stationed in Guam. He was then assigned to the 3rd Marine Division in Iwo Jima as a Teletype prompter. This was a unique experience in that his division was 60 percent Navaho “Code Talkers”. His job was to receive messages and deliver them to commanders in the field. During his 31 days in Iwo Jima he witnessed the ceremonial flag rising. He then served in occupied China until July 29, 1946 when he returned to Kansas for a short time. Before his service in the Marines, he had met Helen Elizabeth Middleton and continued corresponding during his two years of service. He then returned to California and resumed working at the dairy while attending Mount San Antonio College. On June 19, 1947, Helen and Jim were married in Pomona, California. He graduated with an Associate in Arts in the area of Vet Science in 1948. While living in Pomona, their first three children were born--Donald, Nancy, and Brenda. In 1953, the family moved to a farm 6 miles North of Beaver City Nebraska where two more children were born–Carol and Barbara. Jim’s favorite part of farming was working with livestock and that he could set his own hours. His wife Helen died of bone cancer on October 16, 1976. On August 26, 1977, he married Janet McGuire Stanfield in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1986 the family moved to Beaver City and was semi-retired. Jan and Jim began spending winters in Texas, first locating in Zapata and later at Rio Honda. Besides his farming hobby, he enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, bowling, playing cards, shooting pool, wine and jelly making, making pies, and gardening. Jim never knew a stranger, and enjoyed sharing his hobbies with his many good friends. He was excited to receive the Master Angler Award. He belonged to several bridge, pinochle, and pitch card clubs. He enjoyed participated in pool and bowling leagues. For more than 50 years he was a member of Post #343 American Legion in Edison. He belonged to the Beaver Lions Club. He was honored by American Legion Post 28 for his service in Iwo Jima and again honored in Texas as an Iwo Jima survivor at a Marine graduation ceremony. Jan passed away on January 9, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Jim continued to reside in his home in Beaver City until December 2011 when he entered the Beaver City Manor. Jim will be remembered as a loving and caring Dad and Grandpa. He will be missed by his family and many friends. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his second wife Janet, his two brothers Noble and Willis Frey, sisters Helen Eyster, Alice Kroeker; daughter Brenda Martin, and stepson Keith “Buddy” Stanfield. He is survived by his son Don Frey and wife Karen of Kearney, Nebraska Daughters: Nancy Brown and husband David of Beaver City, Nebraska Carol Crecelius and husband David of Hastings, Nebraska Barbara Powell and husband Roger of Beaver City, Nebraska Stepdaughters: Therese Stanfield Herlovich and husband Joe of Punta Gorda, Florida Sherri Stanfield Prevost and husband Jim of Pinedale, Wyoming, Kerri Stanfield Patterson and husband Danny of Loup City, Nebraska Son-in-law: Larry Martin of Kearney, Nebraska Sisters: Hope Musser of Upland, California Pauline Sider of Riverside, California Miriam Zook of Upland California Carolyn Wiley of Grand Junction, Colorado Grandchildren and step-grandchildren are Luke Frey, Daniel Brown, Andrew Brown, Jenny Martin, Derek Martin, Jeffrey Crecelius, Chris Crecelius, Sandra Powell Ketterl, Erin Powell Peterson, and Mike Powell, Tony Otte, Jamie Strayer, Haley Strayer, Brent Hall, David Hall, Brandi Hruby, and Mika McQuiston. Jim was also blessed with more than 20 great-grandchildren. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Friday, January 4, 2012 from 10 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home in Beaver City, Nebraska and prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, Beaver City, Nebraska with Pastors Joyce & Ivan Dean, & Keith Theobald, officiating. Interment will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Beaver City, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the Edison American Legion Post #343. Memorials are suggested to the Beaver City Senior Center. Wenburg Funeral Home of Beaver City, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.