Donald E. Frey

Donald Edward Frey, 86, died on February 18, 2018. He was born on August 1, 1931, in Moundsville, West Virginia to William Robert and Bertha (McWhorter) Frey. After graduating from Moundsville High School in 1949, Don completed airman school at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tennessee and served in the United States Navy. He married his life-long partner, Mara B. (Cassidy) Frey, in 1953.

Don is preceded in death by his wife of more than 63 years, Mara; parents William Robert and Bertha; daughter Karen Marie (Frey) Yoder; and son William Robert Frey.

He is survived by sons Donald Edward, II of Cumming, GA, Edward Charles of Johnstown, OH, Thomas Patrick (Bobbi) of Delaware, OH, Jeffrey Joseph (Stephanie) of Burr Oak, OH, and Daniel Eugene of Burr Oak, OH; brothers William Richard and Charles Eugene; and sister Alice Andrea (Frey) Root.

Don had 27 grandchildren including: Celeste (Aaron) Deck; Anna Frey; Donald (Carol) Frey, III; Mitchell Frey; Joseph Frey; Lynette Frey; Rebecca (Michael) Rush; Darrel (Angie) Yoder, II; Shaun Yoder; Amber (Brian) Smith; Nicholas Yoder; Ian Yoder; Madison Yoder; Lauren Frey; Brittany Frey; Joshua (Lindy) Frey; Kristopher (Cheryl) Larcom; Matthew Larcom; Nichol (Shawn) Eavenson; William Frey, II; Kristy Hampton; Jeffrey Frey, II; Desiree Davis-Clark; Michael Frey; Jacob Frey; Jessica Frey; and William Frey.

He was blessed with 17 great-grandchildren including: Samuel Yoder; Josephine Yoder; Trevor Hughes-Smith; Garrett Smith; Colton Smith; Maddilyn Mullen; Mara Frey; Maeci Frey; Elizabeth Larcom; Gillian Larcom; Sidney Eavenson; Charlie Frey; Josie Frey; Anthony Clark, III; Dashan Clark; Amya Clark; and Amelia Frey.

Don retired from Pitney Bowes in 1992. He was recognized as Pitney Bowes’ Man of the Year in 1968 and was the first Ohio salesman to reach $1 million in sales in 1978. Don was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grand father. He considered his family his greatest accomplishment. Don had a sharp sense of humor and the perfect joke for every occasion. He had music in his soul and was no stranger to the dance floor, especially at family weddings, where he would always show off his skills (much to Mara’s chagrin). Don had a heart for service. For nearly two decades, he and Mara volunteered for the Delaware County Meals On Wheels program. During the summer months, they delivered meals with bouquets of roses, which he cut from their backyard garden.

Calling hours are Wednesday, February 21, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 4661 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, February 22 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 82 E. William Street, Delaware, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).  The family gives special thanks to the clergy, residents, and staff of Mother Angeline McCrory Manor and the Villas at Saint Therese, where Don resided for the last several years.  

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