JAMES FREY

Funeral services for James Frey, 79, of Avon will be Saturday, January 27 at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Avon. Burial will be in the Trinity Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Peters Funeral Home of Avon is in charge of arrangements.

Jim was born in Avon July 16, 1944 to Hobert and Eleanor (Budde) Frey. He died Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Bethesda Home of Beresford. He grew up in rural Avon and graduated from Avon High School where he received a music scholarship to attend USD and was sought after by all the fraternities.

He attended the University of SD Vermillion and graduated in 1966 with a Business Degree.

Jim married Gayle R. Kocmich December 20, 1964 at First Presbyterian Church in Avon and two children, Jeffrey Scott Frey and Jennifer Sue Frey were born to their union.

Jim served in the US Army as a medic during the Vietnam Era.

He began his career at U.S. Steel in Gary, IN as Controller. A new opportunity with Royal Industries, moved the family to Sioux Falls as VP of Finance, the company moved to City of Industry in CA where Jim continued his position. In 1975, the company was purchased and Jim was transferred to Kansas City, MO.

Jim and Carol (Rainier) Santos were married December 23, 1975 at Blue Springs Presbyterian Church in Raytown, MO. In 1976 Jim was hired as Controller of Crane/ Hydro-Aire division in Burbank, CA. His final company Edwards Aerospace took the family to Coppell, TX. After spending much of his professional life in the aerospace field, he and Carol retired in 1993. Their final move to travel and enjoy retirement brought Jim back to his roots in Avon. Jim and Carol resided in Avon until a fall, which made it impossible for him to reside in the home and town he loved. Jim spent 2023 in nursing and rehabilitation JAMES FREY centers until his death at Bethesda of Beresford.

Jim’s passion was music and he loved sharing his great talent with many friends, family, and congregations. He was the Grand Organist for the Grand Chapter of South Dakota, Order of Eastern Star, Grand Musician for the Masonic Grand Lodge of South Dakota for over 10 years, Organist of Keystone Chapter #33, Order of Eastern Star, Yankton. In June of 2023, Jim was named Grand Musician Emeritus of the Masonic Grand Lodge of South Dakota. Jim was past Master of St. John’s Lodge #1 of Yankton, a member and past president of Avon Lions Club, former Mayor of Avon, and a faithful member of Avon First Baptist Church where he served as church pianist for over ten years. Jim was baptized in faith June 8, 2014 at Avon First Baptist Church.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Carol; son Jeffrey and daughters Sabrina and Samantha of CA; daughter Jennifer (Ken) Granger and twin sons Grayson and Gavin of CA; Jim’s sister Audrey (Jerry) McReavy of FL, sons Mark Ballard and Steven (Rena) Ballard of SD; Carol’s sons: Kyle David Santos and children Airel (Alex) Wold, sons Wolf and Fox of GA, Airis (Kaiti) Santos and sons Elias and Elijah; and Aireanna Santos of SD; Stephen (Joan) Davis and daughters Katherine and Caroline of TX; and special grandchildren: Ava, Airen, Morgan, and Abby. Jim was blessed with many loving family members who he adored.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Hobert and Eleanor, a brother, several aunts, and uncles.