After a long and full life, Francis Loyd Frye left this earthly existence from his home in Brawley, California on January 6, 2018 at the age of 99. He was born in Davidson, Oklahoma on June 5, 1918, the first of four children born to Winnie G. and Joseph H. Frye. He was raised in Frederick, Oklahoma and graduated from high school in 1936. Shortly thereafter, he and two friends desired to "see the world" and with only $20 in his pocket, came to California. Francis settled in Ventura, attended Jr. College there and proudly graduated after two years. While there he was in the school orchestra and marched with the school band in the Rose Parade as a trumpet player. He also learned to fly in Oxnard, California and eventually became a civilian flight instructor with Bassett and Phelps Flight School. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the flight school was moved inland, away from the West Coast, for fear of being bombed by the enemy. It was at this time that he was relocated to St. George, Utah where he met and married his sweetheart, Edna Rae Gardner and they were married on September 4, 1943. The young couple made their first home in Ely, Nevada as France continued as flight supervisor covering Ely and Ogden, Utah. As the war ended and the need for pilots decreased, France chose to pursue dentistry as his future occupation, but due to circumstances beyond his control, the option of mortuary school arose. He attended The School of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles and upon graduating, took his State Boards and became a licensed embalmer and funeral director in California, Arizona and Utah. After working for five years at a mortuary in Utah, he purchased Hoopes Funeral Home and moved to Brawley, California on July 1, 1953. They renamed the funeral home Hoopes-Frye Mortuary and in 1963, built the still operating Frye Chapel on Highway 86.  France branched out shortly after and bought the Blythe Mortuary in the late 60's and built the still operating Frye Chapel on Seventh Street in 1976.  He and his wife continued serving the community of Brawley and the Imperial Valley as the local funeral home for 65 years.

Mr. Frye was very active in the community. He was a member of the Brawley Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Lodge #1420 (Past Exalted Ruler 1959-1960/Past District Deputy 1963-1964), the Brawley Rotary Club (past President 1960), Masonic Lodge #402 F&AM, Eastern Star – Alamo Chapter (Worthy Patron 1962 & 1972). He was a member of the Stockmen's Club, the Rustlers, and the Imperial Valley Pioneers Museum. He was the recipient of the Branding Iron Award in 2009 for his leadership skills and devotion to the City of Brawley.

Brawley residents have been touched by the kindness and caring from Mr. Frye and his wife. His compassion and professionalism always linked hand in hand. He loved his association with people.

Mr. Frye is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and his family has been strengthened by his faith. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Edna Rae, and three daughters, Shannon (Kenneth R. Smith), Sydney (Michael S. Presley), and Sheila (Jay Kruger). Also surviving are 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Friends may gather from 6:00-9:00 PM on Monday, January 15th to visit with family at Frye Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 16th at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 490 West D Street. Burial will be in Pine Valley, Utah in the family plot on January 23rd. In lieu of flowers, the Frye family has requested donations be made out to The Rotary Foundation (Brawley Rotary Club), P.O. Box 1442, Brawley, CA 92227