MURPHY, Miss. — Anthony Jacob Frey, age 89, passed away peacefully on Aug. 23, 2009, at his residence in Murphy, Miss.

Mr. Frey was born Oct. 12, 1919, in Mowata, La. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served as a medical technician in the 20th General Hospital in the China-Burma-India Theatre. He was a member of the VFW.

Mr. Frey moved in 1950 to the Mississippi Delta, where he became one of the first successful rice farmers in the area. He was a communicant of the Catholic church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Frey is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Josephine Vondenstein Frey; beloved children and their spouses, LeRoy and Jobana Frey of Hollandale, Patricia and Bubba Rainer of Vicksburg, Sherri and Mike Tubertini of Glen Allan, Tony and Anna Frey of Hollandale, Theresa and John Hood of Vicksburg, Billy and Casheu Frey of Yazoo City and Frances Meena of St. Pete Beach, Fla.; along with 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bernadine Sittig and Henrietta Gotreaux; one brother, Paul Frey; and several nieces and nephews. His eldest son, Stephen Joseph Frey, and six siblings preceded him in death.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Mabel Warren, Teresa Navorro, Michelle Minks, Gail Anderson, Betty Byrd and Ann Gordon for the excellent homecare and wonderful kindness extended to Mr. Frey and his family during his long and difficult battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Pallbearers were Mr. Frey’s seven grandsons. They are Wade Steinriede, Anthony Steinriede, Larson Frey, John Austin Hood, Hamilton Frey, Jude Frey and Hudson Frey.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. today at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hollandale. Visitation immediately preceded the funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial followed at Leland-Stoneville Cemetery, Stoneville, under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.