August 5, 1921 – January 27, 2012
Beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather
Albert B. Frey, 90, slipped peacefully away in his sleep, January 27th, 2012, and awoke to the glories of Heaven, meeting his Savior, Jesus Christ, and his beloved wife of 55 ½ years, Marla June Frey. We rejoice in the knowledge and have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ that we will one day be reunited with our parents!
Al and Marla met while children in grade school, and continued on in the same classes through high school. Love blossomed, Al was drafted into the Army August 1943, and plans were made to marry on his leave, Dec. 1, 1943. Their honeymoon was spent traveling by train from Flint, MI, to Fort Lewis near Olympia, WA, where Al was newly stationed. Al was eventually shipped overseas with the 826th Amphibious Tractor Battalion/Medical Detachment fighting in the Pacific Theater of WWII, serving as a soldier and medic. He fought in many of the battles of the Pacific Theater: The Lingayen Gulf, New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands, the Marianna Islands, Leyte, Luzon and others. Al spent quite some time in Luzon guarding what was at that time, the longest bridge over the Pasig River. The Japanese were continually trying to blow it up, but they were not successful. Al had 32 soldiers, both American and Filipino, under his command, protecting that important supply bridge. The Filipinos were so grateful to Al and his leadership, that they built a two room house on stilts by the river for them; Al used one room to treat Filipino patients and the other room for the American soldiers to sleep. When the war was over, before going home, Al was presented with a magnificent knife; handmade from a jeep spring with a beautiful inlaid handle and matching decorative embossed leather sheathe as a token of their love and appreciation for all Al had done for them. Albert B. Frey was also awarded three Bronze Stars from the United States Army.
After WWII, Al fulfilled his dream of earning his single engine pilot’s license. In 1948, he and Marla moved from Michigan to California where they were blessed with 4 children: Chris Albert Frey (Donna), Janene Terese Marcello (Ralph), Gail Lynette Payne (Karl) and Gary B. Frey (Zoe).
Al enjoyed a successful career with the Singer Sewing Machine Co. for 17 ½ years. He was with the company only 9 mos. before he was awarded the position of manager of the Singer Company’s new flagship store, due to his strong work ethic, excellent salesmanship, his attention to detail and gracious manner. His ability to bring out the best in others, co-workers and later employees, quickly propelled him into managerial positions, making each store he managed extremely profitable. His employees loved and respected him. He also enjoyed many years with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., again quickly moving into managerial positions. As an accomplished salesman with an ability to train others, many other men under his tutelage became successful salesmen and managers also.
Al’s father died when he was 7 yrs. old during the Depression resulting in a hard childhood. It was his desire to provide a better future for his family, even before they had children, that inspired Al and Marla to move to California, eventually settling in Sacramento. In later years, He even turned down a big job promotion since it would require too much time away from his family traveling; and he felt another move would not be in the best interest of his children. Thus he changed careers where climbing the ladder would not require moving with each new promotion. Throughout his career he earned numerous sales awards and trips.
Al enjoyed a number of hobbies through the years: camping, pheasant hunting, motorcycle riding, photography, and using an 8mm movie camera to catch his children on film. Once again, his expertise and attention to detail left his family with wonderful movies of their childhood.
Al will be greatly missed, not only by his children, but also by his 5 grandchildren: Jonathan Payne, Kyle Frey, Joel Frey, Emily Frey and Faith Frey. When the grandchildren visited, he was the Great Train Engineer and they were his young engineers in training, as they played with his collection of model trains.
Al was always thankful for the biblical preaching that both he and his family received at Arcade Baptist Church from pastors, Dr. Lee Toms and Dr. Daniel Henderson over the many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marla June Frey, his parents Frank Frey and Dorothy Ann Frey, both of Flint Michigan; and his siblings, Richard Frey, Ruth Pauline Vanaerman, Jenny Dow, Bill Moul, and Jerry Rose. Al was born in Flint, Michigan.
A private family service will be held celebrating his life, his love for his family, his country, and God.
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