James D. Frey

James (Jim, nee Jacques) D. Frey, age 93, died on Aug 26, 2018. Jim was born on June 8, 1925 to William and Nelly (Demarteau) Frey in Brussels, Belgium. In 1939, his family left Europe to escape World War II and immigrated to the United States, where they settled in Cleveland, Ohio.

After graduating from high school, Jim served in the Army from 1944 to 1946. Initially due to his good math and science grades, he was a potential candidate for work associated with the Manhattan Project, but was later re-assigned because he wasn’t born in the USA. After his discharge, he attended Fenn College and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He married his first wife Ardis Mae Barnes in 1949. They raised a family of two girls and five boys initially near Pittsburgh, PA, then moved to Evansville, IN in 1964. Jim initially worked for Bethlehem Steel, then for Mead Johnson. In 1970, Jim took a job with Westinghouse in Lester, PA and he, Ardis and the five boys relocated to Wilmington, DE. Ardis passed away in 1974 from cancer.

In 1983, Jim again relocated to Orlando, FL with his second wife Irene (Zurick, nee Barber). He retired two years later and spent the next 25 years there as a retiree. Irene passed away in 2003 from cancer. In 2008, Jim relocated to Indianapolis, IN, where he spent his remaining years, to be closer to family. He was fortunate to have his daughter Nikki as his primary caregiver and his daughter Jackie as his secondary caregiver for many years.

Jim was musically inclined--playing the piano and even singing in a barbershop quartet. Jim was active in the church choir wherever he lived- often serving as choir director. At his retirement community in Indianapolis, he regularly played oldies on the piano from memory. He was also an avid duplicate bridge player and was just a few points shy of achieving Life Master status when he became ill. Jim also enjoyed spending time compiling statistics on various things- from sports to weather.

Jim was predeceased by his father William, mother Nelly, wives Ardis and Irene, companion Burdeen Biggs, and stepson Tom Zurick. He is survived by his brother (Claude), seven children (Jackie, Nikki, Dan, Tim, Dave, Jim and Tom), one stepson (Marty Zurick) and numerous grandchildren and step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. George Elmes for his excellent and compassionate care, and to thank the staff at American Village.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to a favorite charity of Jim’s, the American Cancer Society,1599 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 or to Christ the King Catholic Church, 5884 N Crittenden Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220.