Merrill John Fry

Merrill John Fry, 70, passed away December 7, 2022.  He was born May 11, 1952, to Floyd and Billie Fry in Pocatello, Idaho.

He attended Highland High School.  Growing up in Pocatello, his love for baseball ensued.  He was a homerun hitter because he would say, "I don't run fast."

Merrill met the one love of his life at the age of 14.  Later they would be married July 10, 1971.  He asked Anne to marry him when home on leave.  They were not together at the time and went for a drive.  Anne laughed then said, "oh you are serious!"  Six months later they married, and this would last forever.  They celebrated 50 years prior to Anne's passing.

Merrill enlisted in the Marine Corp at the age of 17.  He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA.  He and Anne lived on the military bases in California, Hawaii, and Spokane, WA.  He had a love of the Marine Corp like no other.  He was the most patriotic man, and had a love of this Country.  We stand for the flag.  He spent a year overseas in Okinawa, Japan.  Once a Marine, always a Marine.  Semper Fi.

In June of 1972, they welcomed their first child, Merrillee Fry-Wells.  He gave her the long-lasting nickname of "Wee" due to her big brown eyes. "Peeper Wee Wee."  He adored his baby girl.  In November of 1975, they would welcome their second child, Curtis Fry. Curtis was his son that he adored and cheered him on in his baseball life.  They would spend a lifetime of baseball, hunting, and sitting around a campfire.

His true loves came with his grandkids.  It was never a surprise that on a whim he would gas up the truck and drive thousands of miles to be at one of their softball or baseball games.  He so loved them.  They all knew "Gramps" was the best and they had him wrapped around all fingers.

Merrill carried many names: Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Sergeant, Coach, and Biggin!  Biggin was given to him by his father-in-law, Curtis Hall.  Many nights were spent with a BV diet coke and playing pinochle.  Captain Hall was the inspiration of Merrill becoming a Pocatello Police Officer, which he was good at.  Later he would work at Farmers Insurance as a Private Investigator, then Claims Adjuster.

Merrill was known for his generosity.  All those years of coaching baseball if there was a kid that didn't have a mitt or a good pair of cleats, he would buy them and place the item in their bag.  He didn't need a thank you.  He needed some good baseball players!

There were many people that could call Merrill a friend.  His son-in-law Danny spent many days helping him and credits Merrill for showing what a good dad looks like.  He was a great dad.  Merrill had 3 standout friends that would spend a lifetime through it all with him.  Danny Davis, longtime friend and softball teammate.  Jim Van Sickle, longtime friend.  Dave Pavlin, Marine Corps buddy that truly was with him until the end.  He knew these men he could count on.  Even as he left this world, he knew his family would be protected by these guys!

Merrill is survived by his 2 children; Merrillee (Dan) Wells, Curtis (Cassandra) Fry. Grandchildren; Preston (Kyndra) Wells, Savannah (Dylan) Erickson, Cooper Fry, Addison Fry, Christian Fry. Great Grandchildren; Beckett, Summit, and Brezley. Sister Lynette (Ken) Anselmi, Brother Dale Fry.

Merrill is preceded in death and reunited with his wife Anne Fry and his parents, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and a nephew Danny Fry.

Thank you to Alliance Home Health and Hospice for the years of care, thank you to his nurse Shannon.  A big thank you to his in-home caregiver Selena.  You were the reason we could keep the promise of him staying in his home.  Promise served.

Mom loved to dance.  You now can dance!  Dad go dance with mom.  See you on the other side someday.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 West Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, Idaho.

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