Julia (Judy) Fryar

Our beloved mom, teacher, friend, and grandma, Julia" Judy" Florence Fryar, passed away at her home on March 17, 2010, of kidney failure. Mom always had a ready smile and kind word for everyone. She loved to dance, work crossword puzzles, and made many lifelong friends. Most of all, she loved her family with all her heart. She was born Jan. 5, 1927 in Pittsburg, KS, the only child of Leonard and Lola Camilla Smith. She grew up in Wichita, but her fondest childhood memories were of the summers spent at the farm home of "Nanny", her great aunt.

Mom met and married Donald Edward Fryar in Indianapolis, Indiana, and had three "#1 Favorite" sons and six "favorite" daughters. Mike & Candi Fryar (Vancouver, W A), Marianne & Tom Switzer (Yakima),Sherry Fryar(Yakima),Brian & Cindy Fryar (LaCenter WA) Sharon “Kathy” & Steve Lattin (Allyn, W A) Karen & Nick Potebnya (Lenore ID) Nathan & Rose Fryar (Richland W A). Daughters Linda Fryar died at 3 months of age and Patricia "Tish" Fryar died of cancer at age 12.

During World War II, mom worked at a Boeing plant in Wichita, KS as a welder and riveter. Her proudest work accomplishment was working for the Post Office in Yakima. After 5 years, she went from being a clerk/sorter to become the first ever woman supervisor and then the first ever station manager. She retired after 20 plus years in 1987.

Having nine kids kept Mom very busy, especially in the kitchen cooking and baking. Desserts were made every night. Making donuts was entertaining and filling - an assembly line of kids. Not many donuts made it to the finish line - we gobbled them up as they passed by!

Judy is grandma to 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Mom's legacy is her great love for her family and her many, many friends. She will be dearly missed forever.

A special thank-you to Lower Valley Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to our mom.

A memorial service will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Keith and Keith Terrace Heights Chapel. Keith and Keith Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. To share a memory of Judy, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.