Freddy Fryar Passes Away
Freddy G. Fryar
February 15, 1935 – April 29, 2020
Freddy George Fryar, age 85, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Mr. Fryar, son of Elmo and Marybell (Trower) Fryar, was born on February 15, 1935, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Upon high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. On August 14, 2004, he was united in marriage to Georgia Stringer at Roaring River State Park. Freddy was a member of the Masonic Lodge #601, York Rite, and the Alhambra Shrine Temple all of Chattanooga Tennessee.
Freddy, who was known as “The Beaumont Flyer” and “The Bayou Bandit” was a well-known race car driver who started racing at the age of fourteen. He won over 826 features throughout his career including winning the Snowball Derby in 1979 and 1981. Freddy retired from racing in 1987; subsequently he became crew chief for various race teams including Seal Tech Racing, Jack Rousch Racing, Richard Petty Racing, and Spears Motor Sports Racing. He was inducted into the Alabama Auto Racing Pioneers Hall of Fame, Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, Nashville Tennessee Racing Hall of Fame, and The Ozark Racing Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Freddy’s grandson Jared Fryar decided to follow in his footsteps and won The Super Late Model Cars Tour Championship in 2018. He was his number one fan and his biggest supporter.
Freddy loved working on and collecting old cars. He never missed a chance to watch a race and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Freddy lived life to the fullest and made many friends and fond memories throughout his life. He left a lasting impression on all our lives and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife Georgia Fryar, of Cassville; two sons, Marc Fryar and his wife Charlcie, of Trinity, North Carolina, and Freddy Clint Fryar, of Pinesbrook, Florida; three daughters, Cindy Ontiveros and her husband Ray, of Coweta, Oklahoma, Tracy Buntin and her husband Caleb, of Cassville, and Kelly Williams and her husband Brandon, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Candice Fryar Smith and her husband Chris, Jared Fryar and his fiancée Katy Davis, Jenna Giesow and her husband Matt, Tyler Clere and his wife Kayle, Jacob Clere, Savannah Buntin, Elizabeth Buntin, Silas Buntin, and Ethan Markwardt; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Bobby Fryar, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; one sister, Virginia Delaney and her husband Howard, of Ringold, Georgia; and serveral nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Caleb Clere; two brothers, Billy Fryar and Harold Fryar; and one sister, Peggy Wynn.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2020, at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Cassville, Missouri, with Pastor Rick Cooper officiating; burial to follow at Munsey Cemetery in Eagle Rock with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7th at the White Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and entrusted to the White Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 890 Cassville, MO 65625.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.
Article from the Cassville Democrat November 8, 2012;
Cassville resident and auto racing pioneer Freddy Fryar will be inducted into the Alabama Auto Racing Pioneers Hall of Fame on Dec. 7 and the Ozarks Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Jan. 5, 2013.
“All of your friends and competitors who you raced against all your life vote you into the hall of fame,” said Fryar. “It is really an honor to be voted in.”
Fryar’s auto racing career began in the early 1950s when he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Harold. Auto racing was a fledgling sport at that time.
“I was 14 years old when I started,” said Fryar. “My dad had taken us to the races as little kids. He loved to go watch them race.”
Fryar first raced on dirt in a 1935 Plymouth Coupe in the city in which he was born, Chattanooga, Tenn. The vehicle was an old stock car equipped with a roll bar.
The biggest part of Fryar’s career was spent on paved asphalt tracks around the south. He attributes much of his racing success to Harold, who died while racing a one-half mile dirt track in 1971.
Although Fryar’s mother asked him to quit racing after the death of his brother, Fryar was making his living in the auto industry by that time.
During his career, Fryar racked up seven NASCAR Series Track Championships and three state championships in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. He earned the NASCAR Sportsman, Busch Grand, championships in 1967 and 1969.
Fryar was named All Pro Series champion in 1983 and All Pro Truck champion, which is now known as Craftsman Truck, in 1984. He was also second in points to winner Bobby Allison in the 1964 NASCAR modified championship.
Out of all of his accomplishments, Fryar is most proud of the Most Popular Driver Award he received from NASCAR in 1968 and the Permatech Racing Award he received in 1967.
In total, Fryar won 826 main events in feature racing.
“I won a lot of races,” said Fryar. “I didn’t win them all, but I won my fair share plus.”
During the height of his racing career, Fryar spent a lot of time in Louisiana and Alabama. He earned the nicknames “The Beaumont Flyer” and “Bayou Bandit.” At that time, he also had the opportunity to provide driving services for several actors filming in Louisiana.
“I was Lynn Redgrave’s personal driver,” said Fryar. “I also had the opportunity to drive Lee Meriwether. She was one of the nicest people I have ever met.”
An employment opportunity even gave Fryar the opportunity to sit at a table with John Wayne, Rock Hudson and other actors who were filming the movie “The Undefeated.”
Fryar retired from auto racing in 1987. The following year, he took a job with NASCAR Piedmont Airlines Racing Team to work on two programs with Sterling Marlin.
Fryar raced for 37 years, making a living in the industry for 25 years. He then worked for NASCAR teams for an additional 15 years. He also served as a driving instructor for Richard Petty’s driving school for several years.
While running a race team and working as crew chief for Clifford Allison, Bobby’s son, Fryar met his wife, Georgia. The couple later settled in Cassville.
“I’ve lived here for almost 12 years, and I love this area,” said Fryar.
Fryar’s wife will accompany him to Talladega, Ala., for the formal induction ceremony in December. Larry McReynolds will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.
“I will get to see a lot of people who I haven’t seen in a while,” said Fryar.
The couple will also attend the Ozarks Auto Racing Hall of Fame luncheon and induction ceremony with members of their family.
“I loved racing,” said Fryar. “It was the competition. There is nothing like winning.”
Fryar has two sons, Mark and Clint, who works for Bill Davis Racing in North Carolina and has worked for NASCAR teams for 15 years.
Fryar’s grandson, Jared, raced quarter midgets and legends, and is now racing late models. His granddaughter, Candice, is a senior at the University of North Carolina, majoring in sports marketing, and works part-time at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Freddy G. Fryar
Send Flowers
Order Flowers
for the Family
Visitation
Thursday, May 7, 2020
5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Funeral Service
Friday, May 8, 2020
1:00 PM
Freddy G. Fryar
February 15, 1935 – April 29, 2020
Share this obituary
Share on Facebook Share on X Share in Email
Sign Guestbook|
View Guestbook Entries
Freddy George Fryar, age 85, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Mr. Fryar, son of Elmo and Marybell (Trower) Fryar, was born on February 15, 1935, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Upon high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. On August 14, 2004, he was united in marriage to Georgia Stringer at Roaring River State Park. Freddy was a member of the Masonic Lodge #601, York Rite, and the Alhambra Shrine Temple all of Chattanooga Tennessee.
Freddy, who was known as “The Beaumont Flyer” and “The Bayou Bandit” was a well-known race car driver who started racing at the age of fourteen. He won over 826 features throughout his career including winning the Snowball Derby in 1979 and 1981. Freddy retired from racing in 1987; subsequently he became crew chief for various race teams including Seal Tech Racing, Jack Rousch Racing, Richard Petty Racing, and Spears Motor Sports Racing. He was inducted into the Alabama Auto Racing Pioneers Hall of Fame, Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, Nashville Tennessee Racing Hall of Fame, and The Ozark Racing Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Freddy’s grandson Jared Fryar decided to follow in his footsteps and won The Super Late Model Cars Tour Championship in 2018. He was his number one fan and his biggest supporter.
Freddy loved working on and collecting old cars. He never missed a chance to watch a race and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Freddy lived life to the fullest and made many friends and fond memories throughout his life. He left a lasting impression on all our lives and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife Georgia Fryar, of Cassville; two sons, Marc Fryar and his wife Charlcie, of Trinity, North Carolina, and Freddy Clint Fryar, of Pinesbrook, Florida; three daughters, Cindy Ontiveros and her husband Ray, of Coweta, Oklahoma, Tracy Buntin and her husband Caleb, of Cassville, and Kelly Williams and her husband Brandon, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Candice Fryar Smith and her husband Chris, Jared Fryar and his fiancée Katy Davis, Jenna Giesow and her husband Matt, Tyler Clere and his wife Kayle, Jacob Clere, Savannah Buntin, Elizabeth Buntin, Silas Buntin, and Ethan Markwardt; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Bobby Fryar, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; one sister, Virginia Delaney and her husband Howard, of Ringold, Georgia; and serveral nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Caleb Clere; two brothers, Billy Fryar and Harold Fryar; and one sister, Peggy Wynn.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2020, at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Cassville, Missouri, with Pastor Rick Cooper officiating; burial to follow at Munsey Cemetery in Eagle Rock with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7th at the White Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and entrusted to the White Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 890 Cassville, MO 65625.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.
Article from the Cassville Democrat November 8, 2012;
Cassville resident and auto racing pioneer Freddy Fryar will be inducted into the Alabama Auto Racing Pioneers Hall of Fame on Dec. 7 and the Ozarks Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Jan. 5, 2013.
“All of your friends and competitors who you raced against all your life vote you into the hall of fame,” said Fryar. “It is really an honor to be voted in.”
Fryar’s auto racing career began in the early 1950s when he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Harold. Auto racing was a fledgling sport at that time.
“I was 14 years old when I started,” said Fryar. “My dad had taken us to the races as little kids. He loved to go watch them race.”
Fryar first raced on dirt in a 1935 Plymouth Coupe in the city in which he was born, Chattanooga, Tenn. The vehicle was an old stock car equipped with a roll bar.
The biggest part of Fryar’s career was spent on paved asphalt tracks around the south. He attributes much of his racing success to Harold, who died while racing a one-half mile dirt track in 1971.
Although Fryar’s mother asked him to quit racing after the death of his brother, Fryar was making his living in the auto industry by that time.
During his career, Fryar racked up seven NASCAR Series Track Championships and three state championships in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. He earned the NASCAR Sportsman, Busch Grand, championships in 1967 and 1969.
Fryar was named All Pro Series champion in 1983 and All Pro Truck champion, which is now known as Craftsman Truck, in 1984. He was also second in points to winner Bobby Allison in the 1964 NASCAR modified championship.
Out of all of his accomplishments, Fryar is most proud of the Most Popular Driver Award he received from NASCAR in 1968 and the Permatech Racing Award he received in 1967.
In total, Fryar won 826 main events in feature racing.
“I won a lot of races,” said Fryar. “I didn’t win them all, but I won my fair share plus.”
During the height of his racing career, Fryar spent a lot of time in Louisiana and Alabama. He earned the nicknames “The Beaumont Flyer” and “Bayou Bandit.” At that time, he also had the opportunity to provide driving services for several actors filming in Louisiana.
“I was Lynn Redgrave’s personal driver,” said Fryar. “I also had the opportunity to drive Lee Meriwether. She was one of the nicest people I have ever met.”
An employment opportunity even gave Fryar the opportunity to sit at a table with John Wayne, Rock Hudson and other actors who were filming the movie “The Undefeated.”
Fryar retired from auto racing in 1987. The following year, he took a job with NASCAR Piedmont Airlines Racing Team to work on two programs with Sterling Marlin.
Fryar raced for 37 years, making a living in the industry for 25 years. He then worked for NASCAR teams for an additional 15 years. He also served as a driving instructor for Richard Petty’s driving school for several years.
While running a race team and working as crew chief for Clifford Allison, Bobby’s son, Fryar met his wife, Georgia. The couple later settled in Cassville.
“I’ve lived here for almost 12 years, and I love this area,” said Fryar.
Fryar’s wife will accompany him to Talladega, Ala., for the formal induction ceremony in December. Larry McReynolds will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.
“I will get to see a lot of people who I haven’t seen in a while,” said Fryar.
The couple will also attend the Ozarks Auto Racing Hall of Fame luncheon and induction ceremony with members of their family.
“I loved racing,” said Fryar. “It was the competition. There is nothing like winning.”
Fryar has two sons, Mark and Clint, who works for Bill Davis Racing in North Carolina and has worked for NASCAR teams for 15 years.
Fryar’s grandson, Jared, raced quarter midgets and legends, and is now racing late models. His granddaughter, Candice, is a senior at the University of North Carolina, majoring in sports marketing, and works part-time at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
SERVICES
Visitation
Thursday, May 07, 2020
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
White Funeral Home & Crematory
196 Sale Barn Road
Cassville, Missouri 65625
Funeral Service
Friday, May 08, 2020
1:00 PM
First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
Cassville, Missouri
Sources: White Funeral Home & Crematory