Patrick James “Skip” Fry- 72

Patrick James “Skip” Fry, 72, of Westport, passed away at 1:34 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Emergency Room at Columbus Regional Hospital. He was born on July 14, 1951, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, the son of Patrick and Rose (Grant) Fry. He was raised in Vernon, Indiana and graduated in 1969 from Jennings County High School. Patrick had owned several businesses and served Jennings County as a Democratic Party Chairman, County Commissioner, Vernon Township Trustee, and on the Jennings Water Board. He was a member and past Master of the Six Mile Masonic Lodge at Hayden and VFW Post 2021 of North Vernon. He enjoyed motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs. He was a veteran having served with the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam Era and was a Purple Heart recipient. He married Laurel Richards on July 5, 2000, Vernon and she survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Megan Fry of North Vernon; his sons, Ian Fry of Wisconsin and Aaron Fry of North Vernon; his step-son, Mark Naylor of Westport; his sister, Linda Pearson of Plant City, Florida; his brother, Rob (Sylvia) Fry of Florida, and his seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Judy Rice, and Janie Fry. A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the Bass & Gasper Funeral Home with military rites followed by cremation. Memorial contributions may be made to any veteran’s organization through the funeral home. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.bassgasper.com