1947 - 2024
Memorial Services for Walter Lynn Fritz, 76, of Enid will be Friday, February 2, 2024 at 2:00 pm in St Matthew’s Episcopal Church with Reverend Dr. John Toles and Reverend (Mother) Nancy Gill officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Cherokee Cemetery, Cherokee, Oklahoma under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.
Wally was born on March 25, 1947 in Cherokee, Oklahoma to Walter Earl and Reda Fritz and died on January 20, 2024 in Claremore, Oklahoma. He grew up in Cherokee and graduated from Cherokee High School in 1965. In September 1966, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed basic training. He served in Vietnam during wartime and was later stationed at RAF Bentwaters England, where he married his hometown sweetheart Christie (Smith) Fritz on June 10, 1970. Wally and Christie returned to the United States, where Wally attended college at Oklahoma State University on the GI bill and received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration in 1975. They later made their home in Enid. Wally and Christie opened The Cheese Shoppe, a specialty deli and food shop, in 1979 and continued to operate the business until 1997. In March 1981, they welcomed their only child, Tallena Christine. Wally later worked as an insurance agent for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Wally and Christie were longtime members of St Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Enid.
Wally will be remembered for his kindness, gentle spirit, sense of humor, and great storytelling. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Christie, his parents, and grandparents.
He is survived by his daughter and her husband, Tallena and Bryan Hart, Enid; two grandchildren, Morgan and Paige; sister, Kathy Jolie, Shawnee; Aunt Billy Ruth Girty, Cherokee; and also, nieces and nephews.
Memorials can be made through Anderson Burris to OVC Claremore, (memo: donation in memory of W. Fritz). These memorials are for the Claremore Veterans Center Recreation Fund.
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