Edward Lee “Ed” Frey, 84, died Friday, December 4, 2020 at St. Catherine
Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born May 14, 1936 in Garden
City, Kansas the son of Frank O. & Charlene B. (Helsel) Frey.
Ed grew up on the family farm in Haskell County, Kansas. He
graduated from Satanta High School in 1954. He then attended and
graduated from Garden City Community College with an Associate’s in
Science degree in 1956. Ed then earned his Bachelor of Science degree
in Agriculture from Fort Hays State University in 1958. He then served
in the United States Army, entering in 1959 at Fort Leonard Wood in
Missouri and discharged in 1961 at Fort Carson, Colorado. He then
served in the Army Reserves until 1965 when he was discharged in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Following the service, Ed returned back to the family farm where he
worked most of his life as a farmer and stockman. Having a passion for
conservation, Ed was known for planting and growing trees. He loved
forestry, building windbreaks, and planting fruit trees. In 2003 he was
awarded by the Kansas Forest Service in Haskell County, Outstanding
Forest Steward. In 2004, Ed also earned the Farmer and Rancher Wildlife
Conservationist Award. Ed was also an avid H O train enthusiast. On
June 7, 1987, he married Lorita J. Davis in Garden City, Kansas. They
have lived in Garden City since the time of their marriage. Ed
continued his farming and ranching career until his retirement in 1998.
Survivors include his wife Lorita J. Frey of the home; three
sisters-in-law Carlene & husband Curtis Bandt of Calhan, Colorado,
Marylyn & husband Kerry Gough of Scott City, Kansas, and Leanna
& husband Johnnie Nevin of Colorado Springs, Colorado; ten nieces
and nephews Shane Holstead, Matthew & wife Brook Roark, Michelle
& husband Brooks Crane, Allison Gough, Makenzie & husband Brett
Quintana, Rebecca Nevin, & Martin Gough; and six great nieces and
nephews Emillia Roark, Preston Crane, Audrey Roark, Ariana Crane, Evelyn
Quintana, & Wyatt Quintana. Ed is preceded in death by his
parents.
Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 12,
2021 at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City with Carlene Bandt
officiating. Military graveside rites will also be conducted by the
Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard. There will be no calling hours.
The family suggests memorials given to the Finney County Humane
Society, Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo, or the Donor’s Choice all in
care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City, Kansas.