Ivan Roy Frey, Jr., 78, was born September 19, 1944 in Keokuk, Iowa, a town he never lived in. His Mother was staying with her in-laws while his Dad was away in the Air Force. The closest hospital was across the Mississippi River from Carthage, Illinois. As a result, he lived in Carthage, Greenville, South Carolina, Texas, Rantoul, Illinois, Phoenix, Arizona, and Norwood, Missouri where he graduated from High School.
Following High School, he went to Le Tourneau College in Longview, Texas. He was there for 2 years and then was drafted into the Army. After his basic training, he was assigned to go to Vietnam. Forty-eight hours before he was to leave, his orders were changed, and he went to Germany where he repaired electronics. Following his 2 years in the service, he returned to Le Tourneau and received his degree in Industrial Engineering. At Le Tourneau College he was a founding member of the KZX Fraternity where he made many lifelong friends. He worked for Sealy Mattress, Midwest Conveyor, Boeing Aircraft, and Resthaven and Advantage Funeral Homes where he helped many people in their time of need. For many years he umpired JV baseball until a stroke in 2007 slowed him down and he couldn't move fast enough to do it justice. He also enjoyed working and creating Stained Glass objects.
Ivan was very proud of his grandchildren and rarely missed any activity or concert. Throughout their life vacations were important and they traveled with him to over 35 states and many provinces. Family trips to Israel, China, Ireland, and Germany were also enjoyed.
He is survived by: his wife, Rose Anne Frey; daughter, Julie Anne Wilkinson; grandson, Chance Ray Wilkinson; granddaughters, Lauryn Joanne Wilkinson and Winter Rose Wilkinson; 2 great-granddaughters; his sisters, Vivian Blaski (Gary), and Floria Moore (Danny); along with several nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Gypsy.
Ivan loved and served his Lord Jesus Christ as an active member of LifeChange Church in Wichita, Kansas.
He passed away in Wichita, Kansas on Sunday, July 16, 2023.
Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023, with the Funeral Service immediately following at 2:00 p.m., both at LifeChange Church in Wichita, Kansas, with Pastor John Henry and Phil Temple officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in the Garden of Faith with U.S. Army Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out in Ivan's name to LifeChange Church of Wichita, KS, Kansas Honor Flight, or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.
www.lifechangechurchwichita.com
