Phillip Frey

Phillip Lee Frey of Oklahoma City, age 70, passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Kay Pickett Frey and their three children, daughter Lexy Frey-Warden, her husband Kent and daughter Alia of Los Angeles; son Dr. Bret Frey, wife Michelle and daughter Ella and his children Olivia and Nicholas of OKC; and daughter Yancy and husband Geoff Peveto of Austin. He was the son of the late Raymond Joseph Frey and Margaret Boone Frey of Chickasha, Oklahoma. Phillip grew up working on the family farm located west of town, attending 4-H Club, Boy Scouts, Order of the Arrow, was a devoted altar boy to the Holy Name Parish, and proud of his American Indian heritage. He attended Saint Joseph's Academy in Chickasha for 12 years (Class of 1960) and St. Gregory's Benedictine College in Shawnee where he was awarded a scholarship playing basketball. He also attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, and received his Bachelors and worked on his Masters Degree in Journalism. He was the Editor of the Daily O'Collegian paper until he graduated in 1965. He worked as a journalist for the Lawton Constitution, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Outdoor Oklahoman, The Daily Oklahoman and Orbit Magazine. As 'The Fan Man,' he turned his hobby of restoring antique ceiling fans into a successful business for more than thirty years selling to customers around the globe. As quoted in the Oklahoma Today, he said "If I can make a living by myself, on my own terms, and at my own speed, that is success." Phil and Kay were collectors of the unusual, the artistic, and the obscure. Phillip was also the beloved storyteller of the family, full of wit and humor and had many friends visit his workshop to talk and be around his infectious positive attitude and warm welcoming smile. Also surviving him is his brother Dr. Joe Frey and wife Karen Coates Frey of San Antonio, TX, sister Ramona Monroe of Newberg, OR and sister Mary Frey-Fowler of St. Gregory's in Shawnee. Phillip was preceded in death by his sister Oneita Frey Peters of Marquette, MI. Private family services held at Smith & Kernke in OKC. Phillip was loved by all who knew him and we celebrate his life.