James Lavern “Buddy” Fry was born 6-JUL 1914 in Foristell, MO. His parents were John Raymond Fry (188-1961) and Bertha Ryker Frye (1890- 1990). He married Oma Elisabeth Lorenzen on 28-FEB 1942. James had two sisters; Dorothy and Marjorie. The family lived in Wright City MO. He registered for the draft on 16-OCT 1940. He entered the service and was assigned to Troop A, 252 Remount Squad Quartermaster. He spent his years
in the military doing what he loved as a remount rider. (Editor note: “Remounts” were horses provided to replace those killed or injured in battle). He was a T-Corporal, TEC5. He was at first stationed at Camp Lee Virginia until he was transferred to Fort Reno Oklahoma in SEP 1941. James “Buddy” Fry died 24-DEC 1943 in El Reno Canadian County Oklahoma. He died of an accident on a horse.
The report reads: “On the morning of 23-DEC 1943, T-CPL James L. Fry left his home in El Reno, Oklahoma for duty at the Remount station at Fort Reno where he had been stationed since SEP 1941. The accident which caused his death did not occur as might be expected, from riding an unruly horse. On this occasion he had taken a rather gentle horse to the stables for treatment of a slightly injured knee. He had only a halter on the horse and was riding bareback. The horse ran under a tree with a low limb. Buddy’s glasses having become dimmed (fogged) upon emerging from the warm stable out into the cold air, did not see the limb only just in time to make a grab at it, which unfortunately he missed. It struck him in the forehead, knocking him to the ground on the back of his shoulders, fracturing the sixth and seventh vertebrae. He was rushed to the BordenGeneral Hospital at Chickasha Oklahoma where everything possible was done to spare his life.
As soon as the telegram was received telling of the serious accident, his mother, Mrs. Raymond Fry, and sister Dorothy, went to him, arriving at the hospital at 6:00 PM, 23- DEC. CPL Fry was paralyzed from the neck down, but smiled and joked with his wife, mother and sister and asked questions concerning his father, sister and aunt at home. On Christmas Eve, Buddy departed this life with his wife, mother and sister at his bedside.
Military services were held on Christmas Day, where Troop A, of which he belonged, attended. The following day his body was escorted to his parent’s home by SGT Kinney from the Fort, one of T-CPL Fry’s buddies.”
Funeral services were held 28-DEC 1943 at Foristell Christian Church. James “Buddy” Lavern Fry is buried at Wright City Cemetery.