Edward Neil Fry

Edward Neil Fry, 81, of Abilene, died Friday, November 13, 2009 at a local nursing home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 16 at 12:30 pm at Hillcrest Church of Christ. Burial will be at 2:00 pm at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. November 3, 1928, Neil was born in Killeen, Texas to James A. Fry and Lola (Maxwell) Fry. He graduated from Tulia High School and moved to Abilene in 1946. Neil graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Applied Science with an emphasis in Psychology. He served in the Army Reserve and in the National Guard for 23 years, retiring as a Major. Neil married Ann Ingram in West Virginia on September 6, 1951. He was a member of South 11th and Willis Church of Christ for 57 years where he served as an elder. Serving on many boards and committees, Neil was a true public servant to Abilene and Taylor County. He was a member of the Abilene City Council from 1962 to 1964. He served as president of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, director of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, board president of the Abilene Civic Center and chairman of the Taylor County jail expansion committee. Neil served on the board of directors for American State Bank, the Abilene Expo Center, the Abilene Restaurant Association, the Abilene Literacy Council as well as the Presbyterian Medical Care Mission. He was also Secretary-Treasurer of the Abilene Industrial Foundation and chairman of the Board of Adjustment. Neil retired as Administrator at Abilene Christian University, after serving 31 years, in 1987 when he was elected as Taylor County Commissioner, Precinct 4. He served as Commissioner for three terms, from 1987 to 1999. He chaired the State Education Committee of County Judges and County Commissioners Association for two terms. He received the distinguished service award from the West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association in 1993. Neil also served as a local chapter president and as a state director of the Texas Restaurant Association. He was named Restaurateur of the Year for Abilene in 1959 and 1963 and was co-founder of Towne Crier Steakhouse in Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents. Neil is survived by his wife, Ann Fry of Abilene; two daughters, Lila Johnson and her husband Ted of Aledo, Susan Lankford and her husband Terry of Abilene; one son, Jay Neil Fry and his wife Peggy, of Plano; one brother, David Fry and his wife Jodie, of Abilene. He is also survived by grandchildren: CariAnn Todd and husband Fred of Aledo; Theressa Criswell and husband Travis of Prosper; Kelly Lankford of San Angelo; Lane Johnson and wife Stephanie of Phoenix, Arizona; Kina Tiemann and husband Justin of Abilene; Brett Neil Fry of Plano; Grant Fry, also of Plano; and Teddie Neil Johnson of Aledo; great-grandchildren: Callie, Jackson and Alyssa Todd of Aledo; Cory Criswell of Prosper as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Kelly Lankford, Lane Johnson, Teddie Johnson, Brett Fry, Grant Fry, Fred Todd, Travis Criswell and Justin Tiemann. Memorials may be made in honor of Neil Fry to the Presbyterian Medical Mission, 302 Medical Drive, Abilene, Texas 79601; or to Sam's Place (an orphanage for deaf children in Kenya), C/O of South 11th and Willis Church of Christ, 3309 South 11th, Abilene, Texas 79605.