Carlos L. Frye, Jr.

Monday, March 20, 2017
Carlos Frye, Jr.

Oklahoma -- Carlos L. Frye, Jr., beloved husband and father, passed away on March 15, 2017, at the age of 69. Carl, also known as Junior in his early life, was born on Dec. 7, 1947, in Marked Tree to Carlos L. Frye Sr. and Ella Louise Frye (Wilson) and grew up in the cotton patches of northeast Arkansas, where he learned the value of hard work. He attended school at Milligan Ridge and graduated from Manila High School. He played the drums and saxophone in local bands from the time he was 12, requiring his mom to escort him to many of his gigs.

After marrying and starting a family, he continuously pursued his college education while working at a variety of jobs. He joined the United States Air Force in 1973 and was first stationed at Barksdale AFB, La. While in the Air Force, he met and married the love of his life, Valerie, also a member of the Air Force. He was accepted to Officer Training School in 1980. Major Frye finished his 24-year career as a Mission Crew Commander with AWACS at Tinker AFB, Okla.

Carl loved to travel, especially to historical sites, and with his family, made it to all 50 states and to numerous countries. He and Valerie spent many fun years camping with the Sooner J Camping Club. Two of his travel highlights were standing on the beaches of Normandy and RVing to and from Alaska for a summer.

Carlos Frye, Jr.

Carl was a good man and put others before himself. Carl died after a short, but fierce battle with colon cancer. He was an immunology clinical trial warrior.

Carl is survived by his beloved wife, Valerie, and much loved son, Zachary, and wonderful mother-in-law, Elma Banks, of the home. He is also survived by son, Carl (Pamela) Frye, of Choctaw, Okla., and daughter, Carla (Tony) Franklin, of Ft. Smith, and three grandchildren, Kayla Hipp, Connor Frye and Preston Frye. Additional survivors include his mother, Louise of Greers Ferry; brother, Earnest Lee (Betty) Frye of Manila; sister, Glenda (Harvey) McCoy of Higden; brother, Dennis (Patricia) Frye of Auburn Hills, Mich.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carl was predeceased by his father, Carlos, Sr., and his grandparents, Jurmon and Mergie Wilson and Carlos and Rosa Frye.

Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Hibbs Funeral Home in Choctaw, Okla., followed by a dinner at the Choctaw Church of the Nazarene. The family received friends from 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 17, at the funeral home. A second service is planned in Greers Ferry at 2 p.m. March 20 before internment at Shiloh Crossroads Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate blood or make a donation to the Colon Cancer Alliance.