Merritt Fry Obituary (2007

Merritt "Bernice" (Buckner) Fry, formerly of Temecula, California, died on Saturday, January 6th, 2007, at St. Joseph's Villa, Salt Lake City, Utah, after a long illness. In May of 2006, Bernice had undergone surgery, after which she suffered a debilitating stroke. Her death, at age 91, though sad for her family members, was a merciful release from great frustration and pain. Born on December 5th, 1915, in Ontario, Oregon, she was one of 8 children born to her parents, William H. Buckner and Mabel Stewart. Her siblings, Glenn Stewart, David Desting, Albert Lee, and William James, are now deceased, but siblings Evelyn Glenn of Tacoma, Washington, Robert Sincel Buckner of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Richard Eugene Buckner, of Goldendale, Washington, survive her. For most of her life, she lived in Bremerton, Washington, where she attended high school and the Barger Business College. Prior to her marriage in 1937 to John Ramsden Fry (deceased since May 2001), Bernice worked for Lent's Sheet Metal Shop, and then later, as a secretary for the Bremerton School District for 23 years from 1955-1978. In 1974, Bernice became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the years that followed, she served as a teacher and leader in several of the Church programs: Primary, Young Women's, and Relief Society. In 1984, along with her husband, she also served as a missionary in the Fresno, California, Mission; and after his death, served as an ordinance worker in the San Diego Temple. A jewel in Heavenly Father's crown, Bernice has also been known and loved for her service to her family and the community, donating many hours to public schools, libraries, and offices of the Chamber of Commerce. An avid genealogist, she has also gathered records of her forbears and donated many hours to genealogical libraries. Through her example of service, her love and devotion to family, she now stands with her husband, John, at the head of a goodly posterity. Through her five children, John Douglas Fry of Escondido, California, Judith Ann Long of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jeanine Ricketts of Draper, Utah, William Darryl Fry of Morgan Hill, California, and Kenneth Wayne Fry of Eagle, Idaho, she is the mother of 5, the grandmother of 24, and the great-grandmother of 45. Amongst her descendants and their spouses are those who have served missions all over the world and have held nearly every calling in the LDS Church. "Grace reign[s] through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:21)