David R Fryer passed away peacefully at home with his wife and daughter-in-law Milena on March 8, 2023 after a valiant fight against brain cancer. He fought to the end never giving up.
He was born July 24, 1949 to Russell William and Cecil Mae Wilcox Fryer. He was the second of three sons. He was born on a Sunday at the Dragerton Hospital. Dr. Orson Spencer just happened to be there when Cecil came to the hospital. When Dr. Spencer delivered him he told his mom not to get used to him because he probably wouldn’t live 6 weeks. She told the doctor he was wrong because he was the son who was going on a mission. The doctor said well I better go find another Elder. They gave him a blessing. He’s had a long 6 weeks.
David graduated from East Carbon High in 1968. While in High School he was on the swim team and lettered in it. He enjoyed having his father as a teacher. He was an eagle scout and enjoyed playing church basketball and football on the church lawn after scout meetings.
David served an honorable mission for the LDS Church to the Florida Mission from 1968-1970. Upon returning from Florida he enrolled in college at CEU where he met his future wife Beverly Jean Swasey. He said when he met her he saw her in her wedding dress and knew she was to be his wife. Her wedding dress was custom made by her and her sister, Annette, but it was the dress David saw when he first met her. They were married on April 15, 1972 in the Manti Temple.
He was a faithful member of the LDS Church where he served in many positions from Elder’s quorum President several times in several wards, Sunday school teacher, Ward clerk for 20 plus years and a Cub Scout leader along with Beverly and a good friend Bruce Andrews for over 10 years. One of the special things he loved to do with the cub scouts was rake the leaves in the fall. It was the service project for the ward.
David loved his family very much from the time of the birth of his oldest son to the birth of his youngest grandchild he was involved in their care. He changed many diapers, fed the kids, went for walks with them, rocked them to sleep and sang to them. Some of the songs he sang were “You are my Sunshine”, “I am a Child of God” and some he just made up. He always said he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket but the babies didn’t seem to mind. Even when he didn’t feel good he was eager to take care of them because when he was on sea duty he was gone away from home so much he didn’t want to miss out on the time he was home. He especially loved babysitting for the grandkids at “Papa’s Daycare.” He enjoyed every minute with them. He was very sad when he got sick and couldn’t do it anymore. David was a “grandpa” to kids who didn’t have one.
David was drafted in 1971 and joined the Navy instead of going into the Army. He served in the Navy for 21 years. He went in the Navy during Vietnam and retired after Desert Storm. He received many awards while in the Navy. He was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation, Nave “E” ribbon with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal X4, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and a Humanitarian Service Medal. He had 14 years of sea duty and served on the USS Enterprise CVAN 65, USS Hector AR7, USS Roanoke, AOR 7, USS Peleliu LHA 5 and the USS Kirk FF-1087. The USS Enterprise was his favorite ship. Many of his shipmates became like family to him and his family and are still friends today.
David and Beverly were blessed with six children, David Ryan (Milena), East Carbon, John Lorenzo, Salt Lake City, Jean Marie (Deejay) Peterson, Sunnyside, Royal William (Desiree), Cedar City, Joseph Matthew (Alaena), Price, Russell Isaac, East Carbon.
They have 21 grandchildren, Zach (Erin), Cameron, Thomas, Meghan, Emmaline Fryer, Jayden Fryer-Willoboughy, Kyle Fryer, Brian and Blake Powell, Rayden and Cody Peterson, Dixie, Braxton, Lincoln, Swayzi, Sawyer, Graynger, Hudsyn, Cecilla (Ceci) and 2 bonus grandkids, Earl Cupples and Ciarra (Steven) Cox; and one great grandson Greyson Fryer.
Preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bert (Bill) William Fryer, Thomas Joe Fryer; two nephews, Joel and Bert (Billy) William Fryer, Jr.; in-laws, Royal and Anna Isobel Clark Carleton Swasey; brother-in-law, Cecil Carleton that none of us have met.
The family would like to thank the oncology team at Huntsman Hospital, Promise Hospital, Castleview Hospital, Pinnacle Nursing Home, Jordan Tatton and several home health agencies along with Huntsman at home for his care this past year.
Funeral service, Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10:00 a.m., East Carbon Ward Chapel. Family will receive friends at Mitchell Funeral Home Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and at the church Saturday one hour prior to service. Interment, Ferron City Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.