Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Edwin R. Fritts, 85, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at his home in Moro, Oregon.
He was born on August 27, 1928 in Grass Valley, OR the third of five children to Joseph Shelton Fritts and Edna G (Schadewitz) Fritts. He grew up on the farm south of Grass Valley where he developed his love of animals and agriculture. In his youth he showed livestock, winning multiple state and local competitions including county fair, state fair, and Portland International shows. Ed was also an accomplished athlete in his youth. He attended grade school in Kent and high school in Moro, graduating in 1947 as the class valedictorian. During these years he often doubled as the school bus driver for the area beginning when he was just 14 years old.
Ed went 1 year to OSU before transferring to Multnomah School of the Bible graduating in 1951 with a teaching credential. This is where he met and married his wife of 63 years Shirley Leone (Maxim) Fritts. After their June 1951 wedding they went to Westmont College in Santa Barbra for 2 years.
In 1953 they returned to Sherman County to help Ed’s parents on the family farm. In 1962 Ed and Shirley left the farm and moved to town landing in Moro. He worked for the Co-op in Moro for about 20 years before choosing to become an independent insurance agent selling mostly for Sunlife of Canada and Grange Insurance. He retired in 1996 at which point he devoted more of his time to gardening, hunting, fishing, traveling, and 4H. There was one thing that was most important to him and that was his grandchildren. Whatever their projects or needs they could count on Grandpa.
A highlight of his retirement happened just this fall when he and Shirley were honored as the Grand Marshals of the Sherman County Fair.
Ed was a member of the Grass Valley Baptist Church for most of his life where he had held offices of Deacon, Treasurer, Trustee, Sunday School teacher, and Youth Leader. Ed also had been a member of the Lions Club and the Grange. He had in the past served on the Moro School Board, was the first EMT in the early years of the Sherman County Ambulance, and was active in the county youth activities.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Fritts of Moro, sons Ken Fritts and wife Carolyn, Keith Fritts, Paul Fritts, daughter Laura Perisho and husband Bert, and grad daughter that they raised Aimee Mustoe and husband Will. There are 10 grandchildren and their spouses and 5 great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Louis (Bud) Fritts, daughter Eileen and granddaughter Tara.
Celebration of Life was held on May 5, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Grass Valley Baptist Church. Lunch to follow at the Grass Valley Pavilion. Memorial contribution may be made to the Sherman County
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