Reverend George William Frey

Obituary The Reverend George William Frey of Tacoma, Washington passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in his home on June 17, 2011. Born in Ludington, Michigan, on December 31, 1915, to Oscar and Emma Frey, George was a lifelong servant of the Lord. He received his Bachelor's degree from Northwestern College in 1937 and graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Thiensville, WI in 1940. Upon his graduation from Seminary, George tutored at Michigan Lutheran Seminary for two years. From there he headed out west, and was the founding pastor of both St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clarkston, WA (1942 to 1948) and of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Yakima, WA (1948 to 1959). In the fall of 1959, George accepted a call to serve as the pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA; a position which he held for 31 years before his retirement in June of 1990. In those 50 years Reverend Frey helped to nurture the faith of countless individuals. In addition to his responsibilities as a church leader, George also held numerous positions with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, including Secretary (1954-1964), 1st Vice President (1964 to 1968), and President (1968-1986) of the Pacific Northwest District. He also served as the Chairman of the Pacific Northwest Commission on Evangelism from 1962 to 1968. He married Ilene Domries of Clarkston, WA in August of 1947 and together they raised three daughters: Kristine Frey of Tualatin OR, Debbie Nevils (John) of Borger TX, and Paula Armbrecht (Kim) of Tehachapi CA. George was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brothers Raymond (Ethel) and Theodore (Dorothy), and sisters Muriel and Charlotte (Conrad). George is survived by brother Edwin Frey (Ruth) of Eastpoint MI, sister Marjorie Frey of Saginaw MI, his three daughters, grandchildren Kyle Petrie (Windy), Georgine Thompson (John), Joanne Nevils, Andrew Nevils, Ty Armbrecht (Tiana), and great-grandchildren Cade and Heath Petrie, and Avery and Xander Thompson, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 pm July 15, 2011 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacoma WA. His ashes will be interred in Genesee, ID at a later date to await the day when the Lord returns to raise and glorify the bodies of His believers. Donations may be made to Michigan Lutheran Seminary. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.