James Burks Fray

James Burks Fray, Attorney-at-Law, age 95, of Campbell County, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Burks Fray, his father, John Joseph Fray and his sister, Emma Elizabeth Fray. Mr. Fray was survived by several first cousins. He was known to his friends and relatives as Jimmy.

Mr. Fray was born on September 23, 1915, in Campbell County, and lived his entire life as a resident of Campbell County. He was an avid defender of wildlife, especially turkeys, although he did enjoy the sport of fox hunting when he was younger. He attended Campbell County Schools and after graduation from Rustburg High School, he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia, from 1933 until June of 1937, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy. He was member of the VPI ROTC program when he graduated. After graduation, he worked for the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce and was an agricultural agent for the Farm Security Administration.

Mr. Fray joined the United States Army in January of 1942 and served in World War II in the Infantry until his honorable discharge on June 30, 1946. He attained the rank of Major before his discharge. Mr. Fray served as an infantry unit commander for 45 months while in the service and commanded an Infantry Company and an Infantry Battalion and was responsible for their administration, discipline, training, general welfare and efficiency. He was Executive Officer of an Infantry Battalion responsible for the proper supervision of all Companies Messes, training and administrative work. He received several awards and metals during his tenure including the Victory Metal in World War II.

After his service in the military, Mr. Fray worked with his mother and sister on the family farm located on Red House Road, Three Creeks Road, Falling River and Mollies Creek in Campbell County.

As he attained some age on his, a friend suggested he attend T. C. Williams School of Law and get his law degree. He did and graduated in 1955. Still not feeling the need to quit farming at that time, he ran the family farm until he started practicing law in 1970. He first practiced with Lawrence R. Thompson in Rustburg, Virginia. In 1972 he opened his own law practice on the Courthouse Square in Rustburg where he practiced law until his retirement in June of 2000. Mr. Fray was remembered by one of the retired judges in Campbell County as being willing to take any case that came along regardless of whether that person could pay or not. The money did not matter to Mr. Fray, he just wanted to help people. Although he was not elected for either post, Mr. Fray ran for Clerk of the Circuit Court and then later for Commonwealth Attorney. Mr. Fray had a desire to work and help the citizens of Campbell County and did everything in his power to help those who were less fortunate than he. You could always see him around Rustburg speaking to everyone, delivering the watermelons he grew on his farm and generally helping in any way he could. Until his decline in health in the late 1990’s he was always giving of himself and was very well thought of on the Courthouse Square. Even though he never married or had children, he enjoyed the holidays. You could see him around the Square delivering Christmas chocolates to all the county offices for the ladies, and gentlemen, to enjoy. He was a generous and good-hearted person in his own way which might not have necessarily been understood by many, but he had many friends in the Rustburg and Gladys communities. One of his greatest pleasures was dancing. You could see him at many a dance hall on Saturday nights “cutting the rug” as they say. Even after he entered Heritage Green Assisted Living where he lived his later years, he was one of their most active residents when it came to dancing.

Mr. Fray became a resident of Heritage Green Assisted Living in Lynchburg, Virginia in May of 2001. Due to his declining memory, he was forced to leave the area he loved and go to assisted living. He spent many enjoyable years at Heritage Green.

Arrangements are being handled by Whitten Funeral Home, Park Avenue Chapel. Friends may pay their respects by visiting the Park Avenue Chapel at their convenience.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia and will be officiated by Dr. Thomas C. Brooks, Sr. Military honors will be rendered by the Virginia Army National Guard, Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to the National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190.

To send a condolence to the family, please visit, whittenfuneralhome.com.