Hugo Donald Fries

Hugh Donald Fries

Victoria, Texas

Hugh Donald Fries of Victoria, Texas passed away at the age of 95 on Nov. 7, 2023. Hugh was born on May 19, 1928 in Walnut, Iowa to Hugo Fries and Cloa Kinser Fries. He lived for the majority of his life in Marion, Iowa where he will be laid to rest. He was a graduate of the University of Iowa. Hugh died peacefully, clothed in his trademark of grace and dignity.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Leona May Fries, his parents , daughter-in-law Pam Fries and 6 siblings.

He is survived by brother Ivan Fries of Iowa, and a sister Sue Bristol of Washington, his three sons Greg and wife Tammy, Gary and wife Susan, and Glen. His four grandchildren Chad and wife McKinsey, Colton and wife Celeste, Jordan and wife Allison, Aimee and husband Christopher. His 6 great-grandchildren Poppy, Piper, Katherine, Ainsley, Avery and Mirabella.

Hugh worked for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 39 years. After the sudden death of his wife of 34 years, Hugh spent the next chapter of his life visiting with his sons and evergrowing families. He and Sue Ley became friends and continued a special relationship until his death.

Hugh moved to Victoria, Texas in 2016 to be closer to family and to acquire extra care. Hugh’s 90th surprise birthday celebration will remain a highlight in our family’s hearts. Hugh lived for his family, his pride and enduring legacy. He was a concerned patriarch and felt to the end of his life he had responsibilities and unfinished business to make sure everyone was taken care of. With his 95 years, he was afforded the rare opportunity to meet and love his great grandchildren.

Hugh had a passion for Iowa Hawkeye sports (watching anything black and gold with his sons and grandchildren), simple family time with quiet conversation, an excellent dessert, and his investment portfolio. He was gentle but firm, the greatest at listening, but not judging, and a relentless supporter of anything and everything related to his family. He was a man of structure and consistent reliability. Hugh had a stubborn simplicity, preferring gently worn to newly gifted as things had “to season a bit”. A man who kept his love and appreciation rather guarded from the spoken word, but known for old fashioned letters and cards which were crafted with eloquence and were amazingly heartfelt. He was a man who knew grace, gave grace and died with grace. Hugh will be missed a great deal. A simple midwestern man, born as a child of rolling cornfields who broke through rural poverty and achieved a success. A success not measured by the numbers in his bank account, but by numbers of his family who love, honor and owe a debt of gratitude to him.

A special thank you to the staff members of Vitality, Twin Pines North and Hospice of South Texas. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 17th of November at Rosewood Funeral Chapels.

The Memorial Funeral Mass is scheduled for ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 18th of November at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral with Rev. Kirby Hlavaty presiding. Inurnment of Mr. Fries’ ashes will be in his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com for the Fries family.