John Arthur Frey, 76 years, from Birmingham, Alabama, passed from this life July 29, 2026. A funeral mass will be held Friday, August 14 – 10:00 am at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Florian, Alabama. Interment will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery. A bereavement meal will follow at the Parish house.

He is preceded in death by his father, Joyce Raymond (J.R.) Frey and mother, Evelyn Marie (Stucky) Frey of Newton, Kansas.

John is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Frey; daughters, Lisa (Michael) Ryan and Rebekah Ritchey; grandsons, Nicholas Ryan, Joseph Ryan, and Noah Ritchey; granddaughters, Victoria Ryan, Anna Ryan, Madison Ritchey, and Megan Ryan; sister, Rebecca (Githen G.K.) Rhoads; brother, Monty (Linda) Frey; several nieces and nephews.

John was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Athens, Alabama and Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

He worked in the business field for many years. He was employed by Hesston Corporation in Newton, Kansas, and later by The Boeing Military Airplane and Aerospace Company in Wichita, Kansas, and Huntsville, Alabama, where he served as Manager of Procurement and Subcontracts.

John was known as a gentle man with a quiet manner and was loved my many.

He especially enjoyed serving as a lector at St. Paul’s Church for several years and treasured his parish friendships and church events. John’s hobbies and interests were unique. He was self-taught magician who delighted in performing magic shows for his grandchildren at their schools, home parties, and St. Michael’s Festival. He had a passion for cars, enjoyed fast boats, loved playing the drums, and especially enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad. Cruises were among his favorite adventures.

To his grandchildren, he was affectionately known as the “Fun Grandpa/Capaw.”

John will be greatly missed. He believed in eternal life and placed his trust in God.

The family wishes to thank everyone for the kindness shown to John during his struggle with Parkinson’s disease. They also extend their sincere gratitude to his neurologist, Dr. Victor Sung of UAB, for his compassionate and excellent care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Research P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or The Michael J. Fox Foundation https://www.michaeljfox.org/ or the charity of your choice.