Rest In Peace, @Stratman50th

[bama_ed]

It is with HEAVY heart that I pass along news from the family that our DIS poster Don Frye, aka @Stratman50th, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday December 26, 2024. He had a "seizure-like-episode" at the dinner table and was taken to the hospital. Lori and their daughter are still in shock.

Lori says he really enjoyed the DIS group and was looking forward to the Gulf Shores trip in May 2025 with us. And he was due to retire in a few months if I recall. Many of us saw Don and Lori at the DISMeet this past November 2024 at Fort Wilderness where they day-tripped in to visit with us during the Monday night pot luck dinner. Whenever I was making a Fort reservation the last several years, I always automatically added two more names to my reservation so Don and Lori could come in for a visit when they wished during our stay without any hassles or tow the golf cart up on a trailer and enjoy riding around during the day.

The plans are for him to be cremated and a service is planned towards the end of January in Maryland where they have extended family and friends there.

Rest in Peace, my brother.



Ed

PS - his DIS name came from the fact that as a young man, he played a mean Fender Stratocaster electric guitar (and still could).

PPS - Denise, I am putting this on the main board because so many of us had met and knew Don but if you think this should be moved to the Camping Community Board, please do so.

 

[Mle8308]

Oh no! My condolences to you as well as his family. May he rest in peace.

 

[proudmomof4]

Oh my gosh! I am in shock! Condolences to his family and all of his fellow DIS boards members.

 

[Disneypeach]

I’m stunned. Such sad news. I’m going to miss him!
Don was so helpful to everyone who had questions or needed help.
My condolences to his family, and friends.

 

[morrik5]

I will miss his responses to my posts for sure

 

[garneska]

I am in shock. It's January so i am stalking the running board and came by to see what is going on with my camping friends and this is very sad news. Yeah i am sad

 

[4077]

I had finally met him in person at November Fort DISmeet... what a super nice guy (as I would have expected in any case after years of posts and replies)... prayers for his family to be comforted after this unexpected loss...

 

[Jimsig]

Oh No!!! Never had the pleasure of meeting him, but always enjoyed his posts.

 

[team bradfield]

shocked, was planning on meeting with him during my Margaritaville stay this month, very sad news

 

[Teamubr]

Ed,

Thanks for the post (and text). I'm still in shock. Don and I bonded with his "Weather out my Window" posts and his attempts to convince me to move to central FL and get a motorhome house like his. My thoughts are with Lori and his family.

Godspeed, Don.

j

 

[JETS70]

So sad to hear this. How fragile life can be. So glad to have been able to meet him at the November DISmeet. Prayers for his family.

Steve

 

[galnar]

So sorry to read this, he seemed like such a good dude

 

[2goofycampers]

We are also in shock. I saw he hadn't posted lately. I thought he was just busy with family holiday stuff. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. RIP Don.

 

[FtW Mike]

I just saw this and am absolute shock. Don and I shared same careers. Only a few moths ago he gave me a heads up on a vet for the girls to see in Lakeland next week. Ed if you find out when and wear service in Md. will be let me know and I will try to represent The DIS Community

 

[Teamubr]

Ed,

If you are able to get funeral details, please post. I would like to send something. In other racing community social sites I'm on, when we lost someone, many of us would get together to send something and make a donation. Once we have details, if anyone is interested, let me know.

Jim

 

[bama_ed]

Mike and Jim, I will make inquiries. ED

 

[hertamaniac]

I am so sorry and my condolences to his family.

He and I had some very good DIS exchanges and, with us each living local, could relate to many stories, news, weather and viewpoints. He seemed to articulate his views so well without being critical and arrogant. I am reeling in shock and feel awful. If we were to do a return to FW, I was sort of hoping he would be there during one of our stays to meet him. RIP Don.

 

[FtW Mike]

ED, THANK YOU.

 

[tigger92662]

Absolutely Speechless, he was always kind, helpful and quick witted with our discussions.

So sad to hear this, yet so glad to have had the opportunity to meet him and his wife on a few occasions.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, so spend time with family and friends as often as you can.

Thoughts and prayers to his family

 

[robinb]

Oh no! I am not a camper but I read the board every once in a while. I really enjoyed his posts. May his memory be a blessing.