James Joseph David Fryer

FRYER, JAMES JOSEPH DAVID, 30, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Nov. 21, at his residence in St. Petersburg. James grew up in Clearwater, graduating near the top of his class at Clearwater High School and lettering on the school's swim team, as well as swimming for a number of years on the Clearwater Aquatics Team (CAT). Throughout his years at local schools, from Plumb Elementary to Oak Grove Middle and CHS, as well as four years at the University of Florida, where he studied Political Science and Philosophy, he formed deep lasting friendships. He loved his family, near and far, and his friends who loved him back in full measure. He also went to St. Petersburg College and received a bachelor's in Public Policy and Administration. He worked at Indaba Global in St. Petersburg, taking the job to please his brother Alex and saying it would be temporary. Soon, however he became an invaluable member of the staff, editing books, becoming a self-taught IT expert and managing a host of other duties and projects.

He loved music, building an extensive collection of vinyls, cared deeply about politics and was always up for going to see movies and concerts. From an early age he was an avid reader and throughout his life he had an abiding appetite for books. He approached the world with curiosity and always took a deeply thoughtful approach to the events of the day. James had a wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed joking with friends and had a laugh that made everyone smile. He was a kind, sweet, gentle soul who never had an enemy and was the best son, brother, nephew and cousin one could hope for. Even when he had little in the way of wealth, he gave freely and generously to charitable causes or friends in need, offering love and support as well. He also was a pet lover and quickly became inseparable from his Siamese cat, Sanka.

He is survived by his parents, Bob and Christy Fryer of Clearwater; brother Alex and fiancée Marieta of St. Petersburg, and aunts and uncles Joe and Kerry Goodsir of Okemos, MI, David and Susan Goodsir of Lake Bluff, IL, Alton and Jeanne Fryer of Pasedena, MD, and Jim and Debbie Beers of Chattanooga, TN. He is also survived by cousins Rachael, Scott, Avery, Bella, Taylor, Adam, Joey, Will and numerous Fryer cousins.

He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral in St. Petersburg. A memorial service for James will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. at Church of the Ascension, 701 Orange Ave., Clearwater. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association at www.alsa.org