Harold Phillip Fries, age 93, went home to heaven on November 24, 2015.   He was born in Fort Morgan, Colorado, on June 11, 1922 to Phillip Fries and Marie (Schlotthauer) Fries.

Harold grew up on a farm, the eldest of seven children.  A U.S. Army veteran, Harold served with the "A Battery" of the 601st Field Artillery Battalion in the North Pacific and European theatres of WWII.   While overseas, Harold exchanged "friendship" letters with Esther Kembel.  After he returned from the war, the couple began courting.  They were wed on February 23, 1947.  Harold and Esther began farming in Fort Morgan and welcomed three children to the family. In 1969 Harold began a new career in Oregon, where he worked for Tektronix, an electronics manufacturing company in Beaverton.  Harold enjoyed his years at "Tek" and retired from his role in machine maintenance in 1986. Harold and Esther returned to their roots in Fort Morgan in 1991.   In January 2008 Harold bid a temporary farewell to his sweetheart when she passed away just shy of their 61st wedding anniversary.   Harold Fries was known as a sweet, gentle man of deep faith and integrity.  He gave his heart to Jesus Christ at age 15 and committed his life to bringing honor and glory to God.  Harold was an active church member, helping in many capacities over the years including singing in a men's quartet and choirs, serving on church boards, and visiting the sick and shut-in.  He was a current member of the Immanuel Evangelical Church.

Harold loved spending time with his family (including his granddog, Bailey), singing hymns, reading the Bible, and gardening. Harold was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Edward Fries.

He is survived by three children, Donald Fries and his wife, Beverly Bow (Sedona, AZ); Allen Fries and girlfriend Barb Little (Littleton/Westminster, CO); and daughter Jane Fries (Fort Morgan, CO).  He is also survived by his brothers, Albert Fries (Smith River, CA), and Robert Fries (Lakewood, CO), and his sisters Elsie Lauck (Fort Morgan, CO), Esther Weimer (Salem, OR) and Dorothy Stumpf (Lakewood, CO).

The family will hold a memorial service on December 5, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Evangelical Church, 318 W. 7th Ave., Fort Morgan.  Viewing will be available from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. December 4 at Heer Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan.

Memorial gifts may be given to Immanuel Evangelical Church.