HAROLD R. FRAY JR. ’50

HAROLD R. FRAY JR., 84, a retired minister, died Feb. 11, 2009. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he entered Wesleyan on the G.I. Bill of Rights and received his degree with honors and with distinction in history. He was a member of Chi Psi and received his master’s in divinity from Union Theological Seminary. His experiences liberating the Buchenwald concentration camp impelled him to become involved in the Civil Rights Movement and to participate in the protests against the Vietnam War. The author of three books, he also represented the United Church of Christ at the United Nations in New York City. After retiring in 1985, he started Adventure Tours, taking seniors on trips in the U.S. and abroad, and he continued his involvement with humanitarian groups. His first wife, Harriet Ann Steinmetz Fray, with whom he had six children, died in 1973, and he married Martha Belle Wheeler Grey Fray, the mother of two children, who survives. In addition to his wife and eight children, survivors include 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Harold (Hal) Raymond Fray, Jr., died Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at home in Green Valley, Ariz., under Hospice care with family around him. He was born February 6, 1925. After serving in World War II, he entered Wesleyan on the GI Bill of rights, majoring in history. Before graduating in 1950, he was married to Harriet Ann Steinmetz and their first child was born. Harold went on to Union Seminary in New York City. After he was ordained in the Congregational Church in Milford, Conn., he served churches in Utica, N.Y., Newton, Mass., and Seattle, Wash. He and Harriet had six children. After she died in 1973, he married Martha Belle Fray, who had two children. When Harold retired, he formed his own tour company called Adventure Tours and led trips throughout the U.S. and 43 foreign countries. He served as interim minister in Casper, Wyo., and Brookline, Mass. When he and Martha Belle moved to Green Valley, Ariz., in 1998, he became the New Member Development Minister for The Good Shepherd U.C.C., and promoted the sale of Just Coffee, a fair trade Mexican coffee farmers co-op. Before he died, he had his third book publishes, Sex Under the Steeple. The couple attended his 50th Class Reunion at Wesleyan. He remained a strong supporter of Wesleyan, believing he had received a first-rate liberal arts education. Harold told many people that he had 84 wonderful years and he was looking forward to his next ”Surprise“ journey! He has had a memorial service at Good Shepherd U.C.C. and another one will be in Seattle, Wash., in May or June. His blended family includes his wife, Martha Belle, of 35 years, eight children, thirteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.