Geoffrey Fried

Geoffrey “Jeff” Cordell Fried, 87, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family and friends on July 27, 2023, after bravely battling ongoing health issues.

Jeff was born on June 12, 1936, in Ainsworth, Nebraska to Ruth (Mauch) and Harold Fried. He cherished his role as the big brother to six siblings and found joy in the idyllic lifestyle of living on a small farm in a close-knit town. His passion for sports led him to excel in baseball, basketball, football and track. At the young age of 16, Jeff was involved in band, served as class president and graduated first in his class of 18 from Butte High School in 1953. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned his nickname, "Jock," as he actively participated in track and became a proud member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. During this time, he discovered his first love: Cornhusker football. In 1957, Jeff graduated with a degree in Business Administration and, more importantly, met the love of his life, Dixie Rose McKay, with whom he shared a blissful marriage of 66 years.

After graduation, Jeff served in the US Army Reserves in the early ‘60s before embarking on a successful career in the food industry, working as a sales manager for Pillsbury and Conagra. He was also involved in the International Chili Society and was fondly known to family as friends as the “Chili King.”
Upon retiring at 65, Jeff found immense joy in bowling, fishing, gardening, golfing, attending his grandchildren's events and actively supporting Dixie's various volunteer efforts. He and Dixie also shared a passion for travel, exploring 32 countries across five continents with family and friends. Though often quiet and reserved, he delighted in catching people off guard with his dry sense of humor and sharp wit.

Throughout their lives together, Jeff and Dixie lived in six states. Their most significant move being from St. Louis, MO to Rossmoor, CA in 1976, before eventually settling in Flora Park, Cypress in 2018.
Jeff is survived by his beloved wife Dixie; his daughter, Julie, and her husband, Tim Kadletz, and their children, Zachary Brian and Hannah Rose; his daughter, Mary, and her husband, Dennis Diligent, and their children, Marley Claire and Sebastian James. He is also survived by his three brothers, Terry (Barbara), Harold Jr. “Skip,” Kelly (Marcia), along with his sister, Sandy (Russell), and sister-in-law, Barbara Fried. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, son Andrew Joseph, who passed away as an infant in 1964, his sister DeAnna (1993), and his brother Phillip (2022). As a devoted family man, Jeff was like a brother to Dixie’s sisters, Helen Crownover, Jean Lembrick, Judy Schroeder and Jayne Montemer (Jim).

Jeff Fried will forever be remembered as a loving husband, a dedicated father, a supportive grandfather, and the kindest and gentlest of friends. A memorial service for Jeff is scheduled for Friday, August 11 at 3:00 p.m. PT at the Los Altos United Methodist Church, located at 5950 East Willow Street, Long Beach, CA 90815. A reception will follow at The Gathering, located at 4705 Flora Park Way, Cypress, CA 90720 (across from the entry on Enterprise).