Curtis James Fry
Curtis James Fry, age 63, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on September 28, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. He was born on March 17, 1962, in Roswell, New Mexico, to the late Phyllis Rippen.
After graduating high school, Curtis proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, where he was both a drill instructor and recon sniper. His many accomplishments during his time in the Marines shaped the rest of his life, and he carried that pride and discipline with him always.
Following his discharge from the service, Curtis moved to Utah, where he began a trade as a horse-farrier and discovered a passion for bullfighting and rodeo. Never one to sit still for long, he went on to live in many places, including Las Vegas, where he worked as a paramedic. He later returned home to Kansas and began a long and successful career in construction. Most recently, he was living in Colorado and building QuikTrip stores, a role in which he took great pride.
Outside of his work, Curtis lived life to the fullest. He was passionate about rodeo and competed as both a bullfighter and bareback rider. He also loved golf, fishing, water skiing, snow skiing, and cheering on the Denver Broncos.
Above all, Curtis cherished his family. He is survived by his children, Christina Fry-Lancaster, Levi Fry, Melissa Fry (Luke), and Samantha Baldwin; his grandchildren, Lilah, Cameron, Eli, Bodhi, Daxton, and Ellie; his brothers, Dan Rowland, Randy Fry, and Scott Fry; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Rippen, his father, and a granddaughter.
Curtis will be remembered for his courage, adventurous spirit, and deep love for his family. His legacy of strength, service, and laughter will continue to live on in all who knew and loved him.
A visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 137 N. 8th St., Salina, KS.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Ray Ave Baptist Church, 2801 Ray Ave, Salina, KS.
Burial will follow the service at Roselawn Memorial Park, 1920 E Crawford St, Salina, KS.
Memorials can be made to the family in care of 137 N. 8th St., Salina, KS.
Charles “Buddy” Lee
Charles “Buddy” Lee was born to Willie William and Stella Lee (Boyd) on July 28th, 1935 in McLouth, Kansas. He was the third son born, following big brothers Bill and Boyd (both deceased). His mother bringing home a "Charlie" was unheard of for brother Bill, who announced that he’d just call the baby our little "Buddy.” It stuck for life. The family also included two younger sisters June and Doris (both deceased). He married his high school sweetheart Bessie Daphene Buzbee (deceased) and they enjoyed 65 years together. Together they raised three children- Mike Lee (deceased), Vickie Dunafon (Doug) of Westmoreland and Valarie Stroble (Jim) of Spring Hill. Other direct family included three grandchildren- Jessica Corwin, (Salina) Jacob Corwin (deceased) and Justin Dunafon of Westmoreland. Three great grandchildren and two great greats. There are numerous adored nieces and nephews and greats from both sides of the family since Bud was one of 5 children and so was Daphene.
During the early days of raising his young family of three children, Kanopolis lake was a favorite haunt. We would run out during the hot summers on weeknights with Dad calling Mom at noon saying to have the kids get the boat ready, that he would be home early. We would get a sack of burgers from Griff's and head west. We always had a boat, a camper, bicycles and mini bikes. In the winter he made sure we had sleds, often pulling us and the neighborhood children behind his motorcycle. He played with us often with Mom joking that she had 4 kids since Bud was the biggest kid of all. We spent our weekends camping and teaching each of his children to water ski and putting the youngest child Valarie on his shoulders for a spectacular display. There was nothing Bud Lee couldn't do and do well.
Bud spent most of his life as a residential plumber in Salina, (Bud's Plumbing) but his claim to fame was his racing career. He and his brothers enjoyed racing cars and he began racing motocross at age 34, when most are retiring. He was a dedicated rider and practiced several times a week at Cycle Acres where he met many younger men and became their mentor. He helped and encouraged them along the way, taking some to a training camp with John Desoto (deceased) for him a dream come true. He was highly competitive, but believed in fair play. The motocross peer chosen Kansas state award for Sportsman of the year went to Buddy Lee five years running- a testament to his temperament. He was a smooth and fast rider winning many races against younger men. The motocrossers became an extended family and they often all enjoyed camping the night before a race at the tracks across the state and sometimes venturing out of state as well. Bud referred to them as the best of the best. After several biking injuries, he turned to racing cars and was successful at that as well. He was also a long-distance runner and completed two half marathons with his son Mike and daughter Vickie. He joined the mini-stock and dwarf car association, where he and Daphene made lifelong friends. His race car was "Betty Boop". After racing he took up Racquet Ball at the YMCA and had many years traveling to tournaments and was highly competitive in that sport as well making lifelong friends there as well. One of those special friends later introduced him to pickleball. Unfortunately, he was quite unstable due to the decay of his bones and he had to cut that short. He enjoyed watching his daughter Vickie and son in law as well as his nephew in law Robert play and cheered them on.
He leaves behind many friends, family and fans who came to his aid during his 12-year battle with cancer. It takes a village to support one another in good times and bad and he found out how well-loved and admired he was during this last journey.
Memorial services will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 11, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 255 S. 7th St., Salina.
Donations may be made to the Salina Animal Shelter.
Gary Kevin Bickel
Gary Kevin Bickel, 87, a lifelong resident of Gypsum, Kansas, passed away Sept. 30, 2025.
Gary was born Oct. 7, 1937, to Stanley Allen and Opal Ruth (Medley) Bickel in Abilene, Kansas. The family lived near Elmo in Dickinson County until he was one year old, then moved to his great grandfather Levi Henne’s ancestral farm southwest of Gypsum, which has remained in the family for almost 150 years.
He grew up farming and ranching alongside his parents. Gary attended Pliny, a rural country school, for his elementary years. He graduated from Gypsum High School in 1955, where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball.
Gary carried on the legacy of his family’s stone masonry tradition, the last in a long line of craftsmen who built many area structures. After high school, he worked for Frisbie Construction and later moved into the carpentry trade, building homes in Manhattan and Salina with Yockers Building. In 1978, he began a career at Beech Aircraft in Salina, where he worked as a carpenter until his retirement.
On Oct. 8, 1961, Gary married Karen Cooley of Kipp in Salina, Kansas. Together, they raised three children: Scott, Lori and Amy at their home in Gypsum.
Gary enjoyed watching Kansas State University sports and was a devoted supporter of his grandchildren’s many activities.
Gary was active in the Gypsum community. He served on the Gypsum City Council where he volunteered as a weekend vigilante. He also was the city's mayor for eight years, retiring in 2017. Gary attended the First Baptist Church in Gypsum.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Karen.
Survivors include his children: Scott Bickel of Gypsum; Lori Hahn (Randy) of Gypsum; and Amy Bickel (John Young) of Halstead, Kansas. Grandchildren: Ryan (Hannah) Hahn; Jason (Rachel) Hahn; and Stephen (McKenna) Hahn, all of Gypsum; Brett, Kaci and Jordie Young of Halstead. Great-grandchildren: Conley, Easton and Blaine Hahn of Gypsum.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at 500 S. Ohio St. in Salina. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the First Baptist Church in Gypsum, with Pastor Randy Moravec officiating.
Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church, Gypsum, in memory of Gary.
