Fry Equipment marks milestone

Fry Equipment Company in Piggott marked a milestone last week, as the business celebrated 40 years of serving the region. To mark the occasion, owner Bob Fry and the staff hosted a fish fry that attracted several hundred customers, friends and local civic leaders.

The business was first formed Aug. 4, 1969, when Fry and James Morris partnered to take over the local International Harvester dealership. That partnership lasted until the mid 1970's, when Fry bought out Morris and the business became known as Fry International.

"James Morris was a good, honest partner for seven years," Fry noted. "I want to thank him for his honest support and friendship."

Looking back on those times last week, Morris observed that a lot has changed in the last 40 years.

"We were building this place when I was dating (my wife) Wanda," Morris remembered. "Of course Bob has added on to the building since then. He added on to the front and both sides and added on to the shop."

Over the course of the last 40 years, as Bob and wife Lorilee raised their family, dozens of people worked at the dealership. Even today some of the early additions are still around.

"Doug Deckard has been here 34 years. He started when he was just 19," Fry noted. "Jim Crowson has also been with us for 34 years, and Linda Poole has been here for 38."

In honor of the anniversary, the dealership not only served hundreds of pounds of catfish and all the trimmings, but also provided a variety of door prize drawings.

Winners included Mark Durham of Pocahontas, Cecil "Speedy" Ellis of Kennett, Bob Causey of Piggott, Jan Wolfram of Campbell, Margery Niewald of St. Francis, Tim Blair of Piggott, Eric Causey of Piggott, James Lindsey of Rector and Randy Ellis of Kennett.

"I just want to say thanks to all of our customers for all your business, support and friendship over the course of the past 40 years," Fry concluded.