George Harrison Frye, age 94, of Brookings, SD, formerly of Alpena, SD, died on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at Stoneybrooke Suites in Brookings.

His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 26, 2009 at the United Parish of Alpena, with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron and Military Rites by the Huron Veterans Council, and the Owens-Kunze American Legion Post# 116.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 25, from 1-8 p.m. at the Welter Funeral Home in Huron, with the family present from 6-8 p.m., and a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. or one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. .

George Harrison Frye, the first son of Benjamin H. and Helen V. (Linafelter) Frye was born on April 5, 1915 in Jackson, NE. At the age of 6 weeks, his parents moved to the Alpena, SD area. George attended school at what was known as the Arth School 4 miles west of Alpena. In 1929 the family moved to a farm in Wyoming, MN. It was here that he finished the Eighth grade. In the spring of 1933 the family moved back to Alpena. George worked on several farms in the Alpena area until 1935, when he went to work for his uncle, Frank Linafelter in Woodstock, MN.

George was drafted into the U.S. Army on June 11, 1941. George married Alice J. Johnson on October 20, 1941, in Pipestone, MN. After his honorable discharge on October 6, 1945, they moved onto his fathers farm, where they lived until retiring in 1976, when they moved into Alpena.

During Georges service in the military, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Battle Star, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Honorable Service Emblem.

George was a member of the Alpena Methodist Church, serving on the Church Board for many years. He was a lifetime member of the Owens-Kunze American Legion Post #116 of Alpena, SD, serving as the Post Commander and Service Officer, and taking part in most Memorial Day Services. George served on the Alpena Oil Board and the Alpena Store Board for a number of years. He also served on the Alpena School Board for 16 years.

George enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and woodworking.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his 3 children, George (Barbara) Frye, Jr., of Lincoln, NE, Vernon (Judy) Frye of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jo Ann (Jerry) Jorgensen of Brookings, SD; 12 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; his sister, Mae Tucker, of Rapid City, SD; And sister-in-law, Marguerite Frye, of Spearfish, SD.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice in 2007; a grandson; one brother; and four sisters.

Memorials may be sent to the George Frye Memorial fund, c/o Dean Jorgensen, Box 7013 University Station SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007