David E. Fray

October 1, 1948 - February 28, 2014

Rev. Dr. David Eugene Fray of Moberly, Missouri left this life February 28, 2014 at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri after suffering cardiac arrest while walking to teach class at Moberly Area Community College. David was born on October 1, 1948 in Moberly, Missouri to Marion Eugene Fray and Beatrice Engle Fray. He graduated Moberly High School in 1966. Thereafter, David attended Culver Stockton College and Chicago School of Optometry before eventually graduating the University of Missouri – Columbia. Over the course of his life, David also attended the Austin Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. He was a life-long student who never ceased his pursuit of knowledge and understanding. David met Julie Kadletz on a blind date January 1974. Julie was attracted to David’s intellect and sense of humor. The young couple knew they were soul mates after giving each other the same book for Valentine’s Day that same year. A few months later David proposed and Julie accepted. They married on June 29, 1974 at the A.P. Green Chapel on the University of Missouri campus. Together, they raised two sons, Aaron David Fray and Michael Thomas Fray. The four of them were a tight group and shared a special closeness. David was a man who loved people. He loved his congregation at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Mexico, Missouri. He loved his students and the faculty at Moberly Area Community College where he taught Ethics, Logic, and Philosophy. David loved his fellow Rotarians where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He loved the martial artists at the dojang where he was a black belt in taekwondo. He loved the musicians with whom he played a variety of music at jam sessions. David loved those in the many communities in which he lived and never missed an opportunity to give his time in furtherance of worthy causes. David was a man who loved to talk, and anyone willing to engage in dialogue was a friend of his; a conversation with David was a new experience and one almost always walked away with an interesting perspective on whatever topic was discussed. David was predeceased by his parents, Marion Eugene Fray and Beatrice Engle Fray and grandparents, Roy and Vida Fray. He is survived by his wife, Julie Kadletz Fray, two sons, Aaron David Fray and Michael Thomas Fray, a granddaughter, Alesse Marie Fray, his other special gal, who was his pride and joy – the little firecracker, as he would refer to her, and the faithful, but rebellious dog, Max. A memorial service celebrating the life and memory of David Fray will be held at Coates Street Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 6:00 PM under the direction of Million Taylor Funeral Homes. Visitation will be held prior to the service 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A cause special to David was the Heifer Project. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Heifer Project International are appreciated.