Loren G. Fry

Loren G. Fry, 91, of Benton Harbor passed away on Friday, January 1, 2016 at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 7 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Mary Shawl-Ranke officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 5 PM until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made out to The Salvation Army. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for Loren may do so at www.starks-menchigner.com. Loren was born on January 2, 1924 in Chicago, IL to Loren B. & Martha (Tiechler) Fry. From a young age Loren had a passion for painting. He followed his dream and attended the Chicago School of Art. After graduation, Loren enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served our nation during WWII. Upon returning to Benton Harbor, he became the co-owner of Netedu Advertising. On June 28, 1947 Loren married the love of his life, Elaine Anderson, in Rockford, IL.  It didn’t take long for Loren to realize that painting was his true calling. He sold his advertising agency and devoted himself to his art. Loren would travel to the back country of Wyoming and Montana for weeks at a time to live the ranch life. He would spend as much time as possible riding with the cowhands to experience their work first hand. Loren’s art would capture an intense realism of the simple beauty of the ranch life. When he wasn’t painting the back country, he could be found trout fishing or hunting. Loren was a true outdoors man. Loren is survived by his wife, Elaine of Benton Harbor; Children, Laura (Chuck) Kohler of Niles, Linda (David Smith) Cardenas of Decatur, Mark (Jenny) Fry of St. Joseph, and Lance (Debbie Everett) Fry of Hartford; grandchildren, Matt, Brett, Adrienne, Justin, Arianne, Brianne, Alina, Colin, and Steven; and 12 great-grandchildren. Loren was preceded in death by his parents, Loren B. & Martha; grandson, Christopher Fry; and great-grandson, Wyatt Fizzell.