Jim Frye, 93, of St. Louis, peacefully passed into his heavenly home surrounded by his loving family on August 21, 2024.
Jim was born Jimmie LaVerne Frye on November 18, 1930, to Clarence Eugene and Effie May (Speed) Frye in Gerald, Missouri. He graduated from McKinley High School in 1948 and later attended art school at Washington University. Jim was an artist and entrepreneur. He spent most of his career as an artist working at KMOX-TV, the CBS affiliate in St. Louis, during the early, golden years of television, meeting many famous people along the way. He assumed various engineering support roles later in his career as technology changed the industry. He retired from the station in 1995.
Jim served his nation as a member of the Naval Reserve, served his community as a Freemason, and compassionately served children with orthopedic, spine, burn and other specialty needs as a Moolah Temple Shriner.
He met and married the love of his life, Iris Jean (Basham), in 1954 and raised two children together. They were married 62 years. Jim and Iris established Crossroads USA in Jefferson County in 1968 where thousands of people enjoyed spending their summers and company picnics at the pool and picnic grounds for 27 years.
Those who knew Jim were always astonished by his artistic talent as an illustrator and as a painter. He took great joy in impressing people he had just met by sketching cartoons or portraits upside down as they watched him turn a simple napkin into a work of art before their eyes. He was a life-long learner and loved to travel all over the world.
Because of his affable and generous nature, Iris gave him the nickname “social butterfly”. He always had a joke or a story from his years working in television, the places he visited, or the books that he read, and everyone who met him for the first time left as a friend. Jim was also a skilled carpenter and happily offered the knowledge and talent he developed over the years to family and friends who were working on home remodeling projects. He was a devoted family man who continually doted on and delighted in his family, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Jim spent the concluding three years of his life in Michigan to be near family and eventually resided at Woodland Terrace Assisted Living where he was adored by the staff and became an “adopted” grandfather to the younger caregivers such as Olivia and Ivy.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in passing by his brothers Gilbert and Odell, sisters Lillian and Miley, and his beloved wife, Iris. He is survived by his daughter, Sheila (David) Mayne of Watervliet, Michigan, his son Doug (Muffie) Frye of Fredericktown, Missouri; grandchildren Kevin Westrich of St. Louis, Missouri, Cameron Frye of Jackson, Missouri, Kaitlyn (Kyle) Bullock of Hartford, Michigan, and three great-grandchildren, Tyler and Lydia Westrich, and Clyde Bullock and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A visitation will be held at Kutis Funeral Home, South County Chapel located at 5255 Lemay Road, Mehlville, Missouri on Friday, September 27, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Masonic Memorial Service and a Celebration of Life Service the following day at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Those wishing to honor Jim’s life may make a memorial contribution to Shriners Children’s Hospital of St. Louis.
He sure led a life well-lived! I always enjoyed spending time with Jim and Iris at the Berrien County Fair. May he keep drawing his cartoons on the other side. ❤️
The stars dim since Grandpa’s light is gone, but his love still guides me and carries me on.
May your beautiful soul, Rest in Peace🕊️
A Man’s man! Gentle beyond belief and would put the hammer down when needed! His patience with our group at the pool was legendary in my eyes and only when we crossed the line would we see the hammer. Thank you Mr. Frye for life lessons taught! Thanks for the memories. All my Love to the Frye’s.
As a child, one of the greatest anticipations next to Christmas, was running up to the pool on opening day to see the newest painting on the pool floor. The world was definitely a better place with you in it.
Jim and Iris were our wonderful neighbors for about 20 years. It’s hard to talk about Jim and not mention Iris. They were quite the pair. They made us laugh, they made us welcome, and they were both so talented. Jim with his art and Iris with her beautiful flower gardening. Besides talking over the fence all the time, we would go out to dinner with them occasionally, and Iris and I loved to visit the nurseries to buy more flowers. When we were with them, our conversations together were always enlightening, intelligent, interesting and fun. We miss both of those dear friends, and hope we left endearing memories in their hearts, the same way they left us with so many wonderful heartfelt memories. We miss them both so much.