Obituaries for the week of 10/4/17
Vern Frye
Vern Frye “Eagle,” Colonel USAF (retired) passed on Sept. 10, 2017, at the age of 84. Vern was born in Big Falls, Minnesota, on March 17, 1933, to Leslie Frye and Thelma Miller.
His distinguished military career began in 1951 by attending the University of Minnesota ROTC and playing varsity football. In 1955 he went to pilot training and from 1956 to 1961 was deployed to France and Germany as a fighter pilot in F86/F-100 aircraft. From 1961 to 1966 he served as a fighter test pilot and attended Air Command & Staff College in Alabama. In 1966 – 67 he was a combat fighter pilot flying F-105 aircraft with 100 plus missions over North Vietnam. From 1967 to 1971 he was a USAF Academy Instructor and Army War College. From 1971 through 1974 he was Chief, Air Force Liaison Office, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC. From 1974 to 1975 he was Chief, Air Force Inspector Office, U.S. Air Force, Europe. From 1975 to 1978 he was Base Commander, Sembach Air Base, Germany and Templehof Air Base, Berlin, Germany. From 1978 to 1982 he served as Staff Officer, Lowery Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado, till he retired in 1982. His Distinguished Awards are Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and many Air Medals.
Vern is survived by his wife of 15 years, Florence Frye; his sister, Nora (Vonny) Pachaco; his daughter, Sandy; his sons John and Steve; stepson Joey Kreutzian; and stepdaughter Lauren Meikle; in addition, his many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, a grateful soaring community and many, many friends.
Vern and his wife Carol moved to Reno, Nevada, in 1982. In 1985 through 2000 he was Assistant Director for the Reno Livestock Events Center. All the while he pursued his love of flying gliders at Air Sailing by Pyramid Lake. He was an instructor, tow pilot, record setter and everything in between.
Carole passed in 2001 and thus he found his second love. He often said, “I wonder how I was so lucky to have two wonderful ladies to share my life with.”
Celebration of Life for Vern will be at Our Lady of Snows on Friday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. A luncheon celebration will follow the service on the church grounds.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Per his request, his ashes will be scattered over the Nevada Mountains that he loved so much, at a later date.
Alice Janine Todd
A mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m., at Holy Family Church in Portola for Alice Janine Todd.A reception will be held following in the Parish Hall.All are welcome to attend.In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Holy Family Church of Portola, Hospice of Santa Cruz or Rotary Club of Portola.