Earl Leon Frye

Earl Leon Frye, age 92, peacefully passed away on July 10, 2021.  Mr. Frye was born in Ripley, Ohio on September 4, 1928 to Henry Frye and Pearl (Sweringen) Frye.  Preceded in death by his parents.

Earl was a very generous and loving man.  Family together was important to him and he was very close with his Sons, his Grandchildren and his Daughter-in-Laws.  Always there for family no matter what.  Earl had many friends and was very well loved and very well respected throughout his life by his family and throughout the community.  His love for life and positive attitude was unsurpassed and infectious.  Anybody that had the chance to know Earl always has a fond memory to share about him.  He will be deeply missed by all.

Earl lived in Cincinnati, Ohio where he graduated from the University of Cincinnati and was an associate with Howlett Realty.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service and in 1948 Mr. Frye married Shirley Murdock and moved his family to Naples in 1962.  There he joined NABOR and founded Downing-Frye & Associates, a successful real estate company.

Earl enjoyed playing golf and has traveled all over the world and the United States.  He lived part time in Linville Ridge, NC and Naples, FL and he enjoyed dressing his best, having a glass of wine at the end of the day with Jane his companion and Earl’s greatest love was to talk about real estate and play in the stock market.

Earl was very successful in his business life and loved creating relationships at every level.  He thrived in Real Estate Development, Finance, Business and making deals happen while creating a memorable and successful atmosphere.

Frye served as President of NABOR in 1969 and was on the Board of Managers for the joint venture in 1995 and 1996 and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for 47 years of service.  Active in area of civic and business organizations, he is the founding President of the Collier County Appraisal Society.  He served as former Trustee of Naples Community Hospital, Chairman of the Board of Citizens and Southern Bank of Collier County, owner of 11 RE/MAX franchises from Marco Island to Tampa, Director of the Florida Association of Realtors and Chairman of First National Bank of Collier County.  He is Chairman Emeritus of Bank of Florida.

During his career he was involved in developing a number of projects including: Meridian, Pebble Shores, Wilderness Country Club, Bonita Beach Club, Commodore Club, River Oaks, Stow-Away Mini-Storage in Naples; Highlands Falls Country Club and Linville Ridge Golf and Country Club in North Carolina and many more.  He, also, was instrumental in forming Royal Poinciana Golf Club of Naples.

Mr. Frye is survived by his long-time love and companion, Jane Deavers of Naples, sons Robert Frye (Cynthia Winston) of Naples, David Frye (Michelle) of Marco Island and Michael Frye (Coleen) of Fort Myers all in Florida.  He leaves behind five grandsons and two grand-daughters, eleven great-grandchildren, a niece and a nephew.

A private family memorial is planned at a later date.  The family requests that friends and family perform a random act of kindness in Mr. Frye’s memory.  Memorials are appreciated and may be sent to Wounded Warriors of Collier County, 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 200, Naples, FL 34103 or www. woundedwarriorsofcolliercounty.com in Earl Frye’s memory.