John E. Fritts

John E. Fritts

John E. Fritts passed away peacefully on Dec. 7, 2019, with his wife at his side. A memorial service/celebration of his humor and life will be held in the spring.

John was born in Hermiston, Ore., on Sept. 2, 1939, to John and Neva (Keach) Fritts. John spent most of his adult life in the San Francisco area.

In 1972 he accepted a position as a second cook and baker the next year on the oil pipeline being built in Alaska. He decided to move to Seattle, Wash., for the year. He loved reading and learning and took a job at Shorey’s Antiquarian Book Store, where he met and married Jackie Minick on May 25, 1974 instead of going to Alaska.

He began working in high-rise construction after the birth of his first daughter in 1978. After his second daughter was born, the family took a road trip to Yellowstone Park. They took “the scenic route” back to Seattle up through Montana and across and down North Idaho and discovered Bonners Ferry. After many trips to Bonners Ferry they moved to Naples, Idaho, in 1984.

John worked for Rocky Mountain Academy for 22 years until his retirement. He loved reading, math, and puzzles (particularly Sudoku).

John is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jackie (Minick) Fritts, and daughter Christie (Fritts) Gruszka, and husband Chris of Raymond, N.H.; four grandchildren, Breanna, Gillian, Jamison and Baylee of Raymond, N.H. He is also survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bonnie and Bill Minick of Gig Harbor, Wash., to whom he was very close.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Sara Fritts of Naples, Idaho.

A celebration of his life will be announced in the spring. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery where his daughter also rests.