Lois Levick Fritts

Lois Eliza (Levick) Fritts, 91, of Ashburn, VA, passed away on August 12, 2024 in Leesburg VA. Lois was born in Fredericktown PA, to Helen Horner Levick and James William (Bill) Ince Levick on July 28, 1933. Lois and her brother John graduated from California (PA) High School in 1950. Lois graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a double major in Biology and Chemistry in 1954, and was immediately hired by The Dow Chemical Company in Midland MI. She met her husband Carroll, who had been discharged from the US Army (Chemical Corp) and was working for Dow Corning, at the First Methodist Church in Midland MI. They married at the same church July 2, 1955. Their 3 children were born in Midland and baptized at First Methodist. Lois leveraged her initial work in the agricultural chemicals industry to work in the new area of Chemical Information Science (CIS) working for Dow Chemical, Standard Oil of Ohio, and Diamond Shamrock. The culmination of her career was working for various government contractors including SAIC and Lockhead Martin to create and manage the EPA hazardous chemical database structure. Early on, Lois was active in the Order of the Amaranth (Masons). She was a member of the American Chemical Society Women Chemists Committee and the American Chemical Society Chemical Information Committee. Carroll’s career was spent in the international departments of Dow Corning and Diamond Shamrock, which launched Lois’ lifelong interest in world travel and a wonderful opportunity for the family to live in Tokyo for 3 years. Lois was a girl scout leader, she enjoyed sewing and knitting, and was a voracious reader. For the 33 years Lois lived in Annandale VA, she loved hosting her children and grandchildren for a morning visit in DC followed by an afternoon in her backyard pool. Lois is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and best friend Carroll, and her brother John Keith Levick. She is survived by her daughters Nicole E Whiteman (Michael) of Pottstown PA and Sharon D Fritts (Robert Zeller) of Seabrook TX, her son David B Fritts (Margaret) of Reston VA; her grandchildren John L Fritts (Maggie), Sarah A Long (Tyler), Charity R Yu (Timothy), Robert L Zeller (Daniela), Kirsten E Zeller (Alexander Profaci), David L Fritts (Janelle); and 9 great grandchildren. Lois was blessed to have wonderful caregivers through Joyous Heart Care 24/7 the last 9 months to continue living at home as long as possible. Family was joined by Joy Thompson, Wendy Labus, Aminata, Sallie, Eva, and Millie to lovingly surround Lois in her last days. —----- Carroll Elmer Fritts, 95, of Ashburn VA, passed away on November 5, 2023 in Leesburg VA. Carroll was born on the family farm in Moody County SD to Faith Bradford Fritts and Elmer Akin Fritts on June 29, 1928. He grew up in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota; and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Mankato High School where he notably won the Minnesota state contest for the best conservation essay. He then graduated from Iowa State University earning a chemical engineering degree. He served in the US Army Chemical Corp at Dugway Proving Ground. Upon discharge he was hired by Dow Corning and moved to Midland MI where he met and married Lois Levick at the First Methodist Church. He worked many years in the international department, traveling frequently to Europe, and then culminating in a 3-year position as technical representative from Dow Corning working for their JV Toray Silicones in Japan. He had a great temperament for working with people from cultures different from his own and enjoyed working overseas weeks and even months at a time. He later worked for Diamond Shamrock for the chemicals business and later for the international department and ended his career working for the American Chemical Society. Carroll was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He loved opera, world travel and collecting artwork while traveling, and was an avid investor in the stock market. For the 33 years Carroll lived in Annandale VA, he enjoyed hosting his children and grandchildren for a morning visit in DC followed by an afternoon in his backyard pool. Carroll is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Wesley B Fritts and Alan J Fritts. He was survived by his wife Lois E Fritts, sister Suzanne VanSickle (Paul), daughters Nicole E Whiteman (Michael) and Sharon D Fritts (Robert Zeller), and son David B Fritts (Margaret); grandchildren John L Fritts (Maggie), Sarah A Long (Tyler), Charity R Yu (Timothy), Robert L Zeller (Daniela), Kirsten E Zeller (Alexander Profaci), and David L Fritts (Janelle); and 9 great grandchildren.