Tom and I went to UNCA together in Computer Science. We worked on several visual basic projects with each other. Tom was always an inspiration and helped me keep my head high! I will miss him dearly.
Thomas Vance Frye
Thomas Vance Frye
February 15, 1952 ~ December 26, 2005
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville ~ Thomas Vance Frye, 53, of Elmwood Lane, Asheville, died on December 26, 2005 at his residence after a long valiant fight against brain cancer.
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Frye was the son of J.R. and Sue Duke Frye of Somerset, Kentucky.
He had an extensive career as a respiratory therapist during which he met his wife, Michele Johnson Frye, MD, while they worked together in the neonatal intensive care unit at Tulane Medical Center Hospital in New Orleans, LA. He received a master’s degree in education from the Augusta State University and taught respiratory Therapy at The Medical College of Georgia. A few weeks before his diagnosis he completed another bachelor’s degree in information technology from UNCA, preparing for a career change into that field.
He has lived with his family in Asheville since 1997 and more recently worked at Park Ridge Living Center and taught Computer Science part-time at AB Tech, while finishing his degree. He was an astute clinician with a special love for infants and the elderly.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by a son, Richard Emmett Frye of Asheville; a sister, Suzanne Wells of Lexington, KY and a brother, Richard Joseph Frye of Memphis, TN and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. His loving gentle presence will be deeply missed.
The family will receive friends at the home of the wife, 5 Elmwood Lane from 6:00 -9:00 PM on Friday.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road is in charge of local arrangements.
Sanderson Funeral Home will be in charge of Interment arrangements in Carthage, TN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338 Asheville, NC 28813.
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February 15, 1952 ~ December 26, 2005
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville ~ Thomas Vance Frye, 53, of Elmwood Lane, Asheville, died on December 26, 2005 at his residence after a long valiant fight against brain cancer.
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Frye was the son of J.R. and Sue Duke Frye of Somerset, Kentucky.
He had an extensive career as a respiratory therapist during which he met his wife, Michele Johnson Frye, MD, while they worked together in the neonatal intensive care unit at Tulane Medical Center Hospital in New Orleans, LA. He received a master’s degree in education from the Augusta State University and taught respiratory Therapy at The Medical College of Georgia. A few weeks before his diagnosis he completed another bachelor’s degree in information technology from UNCA, preparing for a career change into that field. He has lived with his family in Asheville since 1997 and more recently worked at Park Ridge Living Center and taught Computer Science part-time at AB Tech, while finishing his degree. He was an astute clinician with a special love for infants and the elderly.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by a son, Richard Emmett Frye of Asheville; a sister, Suzanne Wells of Lexington, KY and a brother, Richard Joseph Frye of Memphis, TN and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. His loving gentle presence will be deeply missed.
The family will receive friends at the home of the wife, 5 Elmwood Lane from 6:00 -9:00 PM on Friday.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road is in charge of local arrangements.
Sanderson Funeral Home will be in charge of Interment arrangements in Carthage, TN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338 Asheville, NC 28813.
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Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I am so sorry for your loss, and my prayers are with you in this time of pain and healing. My prayer is that the loving arms of Jesus surround you and hold you close.
Michelle and Richard,
I love you and am so sorry for your sorrow at this time. Tom was a very sweet and kind man. It was so nice of him to come to Don’s memorial service in January. I will always be thankful to him for that.
God bless you for taking care of him during his difficult illness.
My prayers are for you to have strength to continue day by day.
Dear Michele and Richard,
I was shocked and deeply saddened to read of Tom’s death. Tom was such a caring and gentle person and I had much respect and admiration for him as a resp. therapist and, more importantly, as a friend and person with
tremendous loyalty and strenghth of character.
I remember so well bringing my children to your house, supposedly just let them ‘see’ your new kittens. I was adament in letting Tom know we were NOT going to get one of them. Well, Tom knew very well that I would weaken after watching them play with the kittens but he didn’t stop there…oh,no! He brought pictures to me that you had made while we were there and just grinned his sly little smile and asked which one I wanted. We still have Shade after almost 13 years(named by Tom because he was ‘so cool’), and in him, many memories and much of the heart of all of you.
Please know that my heart aches for you. Tom was rare…how much better are the lives of all of us fortunate enough to have shared time with him.
With much love and heartfelt sympathy,
Susan Banks Babb
Michelle and Richard:
I was very saddened to read about Thomas passing. It was a pleasure to work with him and to get to know him and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
To Tom, you will be missed very much, thank you for being a friend. To Michele and Richard, my heart goes out to the both of you.
Michelle, Richard, Buck and Sue,
I am thinking about you all as you are missing Tommy. My memories are only of a sweet, dear cousin who always had a smile on his face! He was even smiling while we visited and he wasn’t well. Tommy was always so thoughtful, interested in what was going on in our lives when we would get together for family reunions. I will keep these fond memories close to heart and smile everytime I think of him! I am praying for peace and comfort for you.
Love you all,
Donna Jo
Michelle, Richard, Buck and Sue, Richard, Suzanne, We are very sorry about Tommy’s death. I’ll never forget all the good times me and Jan had with all of you riding around in the black falcon and you guys wanting to steal the ‘Goose Creek’ sign! The family reunions were wonderful as they always kept us all close. Even Kevin can name all the family members! Love and prayers, Joy and Kevin
I never met Thomas but i lived around his family they were very nice people I am so sorry for his Family & may God bless you all.
We are so sorry for your loss. We will remember Tommy for his soft-spoken, gentle ways. We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Love, The Nunleys
Buck and Sue,
I was just remembering when Tommy was born. I was 12 years old and it was so exciting to have a new baby in the family. My favorite picture is Tommy, about one in his overalls with Pappy Bob and that big red dog, Lu.
Not only is he with Pappy, but I’ll bet Grandpa and Granny Frye are hugging him right now.
Love you all,
Aunt JO
Dear Michelle
I was so sad to hear of Toms’ passing this week. I wanted to let you know that although I only knew Tom in the last few weeks of his life it was a pleasure to work with him as his Occupational Therapist. He was always willing to participate & able to see the funny side of situations even though I’m sure he was suffering greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with you & your family at this sad time. I trust that Tom is now at peace.
Dear Michelle,
I was very surprised and saddened to hear today of your loss of Tom. I was fortunate to have had Tom in three of my computer science classes at UNCA. He was outstanding in all three, but above all a real gentleman. It was my pleasure to have known him not only as a student, but as a friend. All of us in the Computer Science Department will miss his smiling face. Our sincere condolences go out to you and your family.