Alton Lewis Fry was born in Kent Co., Texas on November 1, 1934 to Eugene and Ruth (Brantner) Fry. He passed away June 14, 2018 at Union County General Hospital after a short illness. He was 83 years old. Alton went to be with his Lord exactly seven years to the day that he came home from the hospital in Amarillo after his serious pickup accident in 2011.
A memorial service will be held in his honor at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Clayton, New Mexico. Arrangements are under the direction of Hass Funeral Directors, of Clayton.
Alton grew up in south Texas until October 1948 when his family moved north of Clayton and a short time later moved near Texline. He attended first through sixth grade in Kalgary, Texas. He completed his remaining school years in Clayton graduating in 1954. Alton played football, ran track and 
participated in FFA in High School. Alton met Lavina Fones while attending high school. They were married January 16, 1954, in Raton, New Mexico. They were married 64 years. To their union was born Barbara, Gail, and Larry. The family lived in the Seneca community all the rest of Alton’s life. Alton worked with Lavina’s parents on the dairy and farm when they were first married. He learned many skills from his father-in-law, Elvin Fones. He took over the farm and ranch a few years later. He continued to ranch and farm until he had a pickup accident in 2011. Alton was still doing a little work with the help of Larry. Alton had many skills. He was a good carpenter, building a rock porch onto the house, enclosing the back porch, and building a mud room. He made many shadow boxes for his family members to fill with miniatures. He could fix just about anything that was broken. Alton spent lots of time welding things around the farm. Many people in the area remember him for witching for water on their place with his two brass sticks. Alton attended the First Baptist Church in Clayton for over 50 years. His faith in God showed through the life he lived in helping others and in his gentle nature. Alton was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Eugene Fry; his in-laws, Elvin and Faree Fones; several brothers: Doyle, Nelson, Keith, Lee, Erit, and Foy and one sister, Imogene. Alton leaves behind many special friends and relatives. He told us many times he had a good life and a good family that he loved. His belief in God allowed him to know he was heaven bound.
SURVIVORS:
Surviving family members include his wife, Lavina, and his children Barbara Rhea, Terry and Gail Swallow, and Larry Fry. Also surviving are two siblings, Vernell and Bill Sheets and Edd and Elizabeth Fry. Alton had three grandsons, Calvin McCulley, Adam Swallow and Dustin Swallow. He also had four great-grandchildren, Laynie, Landry, Laeson and Londyn Swallow.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers and plants, please send donations to the Gideon’s for Bibles. Gideon’s International, Clayton Camp, ,PO Box 175, Clayton, NM 88415. This was a charity special to Alton.
