Delbert Jay Frye

Graveside service for Delbert Frye will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulsa. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. at the Chelsea Funeral Home, with family receiving visitors from 6:00-8:00pm. A memorial service will take place at First Assembly in Foyil, OK, on Thursday, September 4, at 4 p.m.

Delbert J. Frye, 85, of Afton, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully in his home on August 29, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born to Sam and Bertha Frye in June of 1940 somewhere in the sticks of Chelsea, OK, he was the 3rd of 14 children. Delbert lived a full and adventurous life, which allowed him to call France, Texas, Virginia, and Oklahoma all home. He proudly served six years in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer, and no matter where life carried him, he made the best of it with his love of people, stories, and laughter. He was a jack of all trades holding an array of jobs including demolition, taxi driver, bus driver, factory worker, tow-truck driver, and entrepreneur just to name a few. The man could not sit still. But of all the titles he held, Grandpa was his favorite.

Delbert is survived by Mary Louise Frye, his wife of twenty-six years, ten children: Christine Malcolm; Patrick “Pico” Frye; Zachary Frye; Fia Kyle; Zane Frye; David Hayworth; Rhonda Robbins and James Hayworth, Shelly Lovelace, Christopher Frye, and 5 siblings: David Frye, Sammy Frye, Josephine Green, Kay Bentley, Shirley Belden. He was blessed with 25 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, all of whom he adored beyond measure.

Those who knew Delbert will remember his whistling—his unofficial trademark—his family always said you could find him in any store by following the tune. He loved fishing, shooting, riding his motorcycles, tending his garden, complaining about his “stupid chickens”, a good steak dinner, and never missed an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger. Most of all, he loved his family, his church, and any chance to lend a hand to others. He lived with kindness, humor, and a laid-back spirit.

Delbert lived a long and fulfilled life and leaves behind a legacy of stories, laughter, and love. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.