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Fry Built More Than a Legacy

From staff reports

It’s the uncharacteristic things which come to mind when you think of Harry Fry.  His quiet demeanor and drive to win and to make winners out of all those young men he coached was a life-long journey. It was more than football and it was more than state-championships.  Harry Fry led by example, discipline and character.

On Saturday the community lost an icon. But to his credit the legacy he built lives on in many lives that Fry touched. 

In his 30-year reign (1953-1983) as head coach of the Blue Devils he started what was and what still is one of the richest programs in Southwest Virginia.  Many say Fry put Gate City on the map, year after year of domination on the gridiron. And to his credit, that program is continued through the development of his little league football program.

Many say if a stranger stepped foot in Gate City and spoke football you can bet the name Harry Fry would enter the conversation. The stories of the period and of the game he loved so well will forever be a part of the fabric of Gate City life.

Fry led the Devils to two Group AA State Championships in 1970 and 1974, both in convincing manner with a 40-8 win over James Monroe and a 28-7 victory over Southampton. 

Fry’s all time coaching record of 229-71-6 is just an asset to the man who did more than coach football, he touched the lives of the thousands of students, athletes and everyone who was proud to call Harry Fry an honored friend.

In the 1970’s football slid to the more competitive edge when the playoff system was inserted under VHSL classifications and at that point the era began.

After an undefeated season, district championship and a regional championship, the Blue Devils went on to complete the task and later become the 1970 Group AA State Champions.

Some that saw the likes of the Stonega Stallion, the defeating of Dobyns-Bennett and the Wise County schools, the season was a moment in history which solidified the era of Gate City football.

His teaching ethic of hard work, team play and individual dedication became part of his players’ lives and after his reign ended, Nick Colobro took over as Gate City’s football coach. And much to the credit of Fry, he helped to choose his successor. Often, Fry commented he was “mighty proud” of Colobro and his achievements.

The gratifying success in which the Blue Devil program possessed then still carries over today under the principal of Colobro.  The defining tradition that has been echoed throughout the Blue Devil history has been picked up by even the smallest Blue Devils who enter the Little League programs today.

A group of citizens, who followed him throughout his career and beyond, have made sure his memory will never be forgotten. Two years ago Fry was surrounded by his friends, family and loyal followers of Gate City football as they unveiled a monument commemorating his career. His friends and fans worked together to raise the money to erect the monument to Fry’s coaching career. The street that runs beside Legion Field was renamed to Harry Fry Avenue and the monument proudly displays Fry’s coaching years of 1953-1983 and states his induction into the VHSL Hall of Fame.

When Fry was inducted into the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame in 1991, many say it was the pinnacle of his long coaching career.

Fry began his teaching career in 1949 in his native Lee County and coached nearly every sport. Fry played high school football at Pennington High School and continued his football career at Milligan College. In 1997, he was selected for the Milligan College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Fry enjoyed playing football but admitted a profound love of coaching. During an interview in December 2000, Fry spoke of his first state championship in 1970 and affectionately spoke of both his state championship teams.

“When we won our first state championship, we went wild,” he recalled. “I didn’t even know if I could coach a team in the state playoff game. But I told the boys, ‘I’ll coach just like I have always coached and you play like you have always played and we’ll win.’ ”

Fry was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Neeley Fry, four sisters and one brother. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lou and Ed Britt of Gate City; his son and daughter-in-law, Keener and Lisa Fry of Huntington, W.Va.; grandchildren, Lt. Ed Britt and wife, Alissa of Destin, Fla., Lt. JG Jon Britt of Norfolk, Joseph Fry and Cameron Fry, both of Huntington, W.Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held yesterday morning in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the Gate City Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Holston View Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Harry and Lois Fry Memorial Scholarship in care of Mitzi Barger Wilson, Bank of America, 141 East Jackson Street, Gate City, Va. 24251.

Fry often talked about the community gathering for pep rallies and how people came together in one spirit. Now the community gathers one final time to say goodbye to their mentor, coach and friend. 

He coached like he always coached and true to his words, we won.

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