Memories of DON. I am still struggling with the fact Don Fryhover is gone. He was one of those Monroe boys that came to Howe during his high school years. Tall, blonde, athletically built, and quite shy until we got to know him. He was two years ahead of me in school. He graduated in 1968 and joined the Navy. I lost contact with him until several years later, when I saw him across campus at NSU, walking towards me. He was the same old Don. I was happy to know he was working towards his teaching degree, and low and behold, we found ourselves teaching together at our beloved Alma Mater, soon after. It was like a class reunion at Howe; Kay Brown Wolf, Susan Baker, Linda Hornback Hall, Keith Luton, Kathy Davidson, Pat Forehand, Gary Stacy, just to name a few. Don was perfect for sixth grade. His teaching really did rank second to farming, however. In the teachers break room, Don could always tell us EXACTlY how many days were left until, Thanksgiving . Christmas, Spring Break, and the last day of school! His heart was in the hay field or his garden. When he left to do just that, he was at his happiest. Don would come occasionally to the school and eat lunch with us. I had to laugh at he and Cookie Benefields discussion of politics. You could tell Don was enjoying it also, most of the time. It was friendly banter until one or the other crossed the line, in which someone would change the subject! The last time I visited with Don, was at one of these lunches. I had just been through chemo, had lost all my hair and was wearing a wig. He sat down by me, gave me a big hug and told me how good I looked. He wanted to know how I was doing and if the cancer was gone. I assured him it was and he smiled that shy smile that I remembered from years ago. He told me he knew a little ole thing like cancer couldnt get me down. I wanted to hug him again. Don was funny, respectful, smart, a veteran, a farmer, and my friend. A lot of hearts were broken last week when we received the tragic news of his passing. He loved Monroe and Monroe loved him. Thank you for letting us share him for a few years. Goodbye Don. I am a better person for having known you. Like
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 23:10:35 +0000