James Frank Fly

James Frank Fly, age 97, of Memphis, Tennessee passed away at The Summit of Germantown on Monday, May 11, 2026. He was born on April 10, 1929, to James Henry "JH" Fly and Mary Eleanor Charlton Fly in Nashville, TN. He graduated from Tech High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech in 1950.

Frank married the love of his life, Helen Gatchell, on September 1, 1950. He was blessed with 63 years of happiness with her while raising 3 children.

His working career was spent almost entirely at International Harvester where he was a Tool Design Engineer and General Foreman and part-time teacher of Metallurgical Engineering at Memphis State College Night School. He spent many years working with the Boy Scouts of America and during retirement he enjoyed both keeping a beautiful yard and traveling the countryside with Helen on bus tours.

Frank’s faith was important to him. He was an active member of and life Elder at Lindenwood Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty, and his lovely wife Helen. He leaves behind his three children: son, Jimmy (Debbie) Fly; daughter, Pamela (David) Albin; and son, John (Michelle) Fly. He is also survived by 6 Grandchildren: Megan Fly (Cliff) Bell, Kevin (Alex) Fly; Mallory Albin (Adam) Sisko, Molly Albin (Adam) West, Kelsi (Jacob) Parks, and Chelsea (Luke) Watkins and 13 Great-Grandchildren.

Services will be at Lindenwood Christian Church on Union Avenue. Friends and family will be received there 12 noon until 2 p.m. with the celebration of life in the Sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral service at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh LaGrange, Memphis, TN 38134.

We would like to give a special thank you to Town Village Audubon Park and The Summit of Germantown for their care of daddy the past few years.