George L. Fratus, 82, Gas City, passed away at 9:17 pm on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born in Whitman, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 19, 1941, to Ervin and Alicia (English) Fratus. On June 5, 1965, he married Teresa K. Nelson and she survives.
George graduated from Whitman Hanson High School, Ball State University, and St. Francis University Fort Wayne.
George grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Indiana to attend Ball State University. After graduation, he and Teresa married and moved to Waterloo, Indiana to teach and start a family. A few years later, George and Teresa moved to Gas City and George taught elementary Physical Education at Madison Grant. While teaching at Madison Grant, George implemented many physical fitness programs such as Skippers, Garfield Fun Run, Goofy Days, and Lunch Mile Run. He was affectionately known by many of his students as “Funny Feet Fratus”. In 2003, he was recognized by Senator Richard Lugar because of the impact he made on physical fitness in his community. He coached boys’ and girls’ tennis at Madison Grant High school from 1979-1986. While teaching and coaching, George remained an active athlete himself by running marathons, including the Boston Marathon, participating in tennis leagues and playing in tournaments. He won numerous medals while playing tennis at the Indiana State Games and helped shape the culture of tennis in Grant County by his playing, coaching, and helping develop USTA youth tennis teams. After his retirement from teaching, George stayed active well into his seventies. George helped coach the very successful boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at Mississinewa High School. George was nominated and accepted into the Grant County Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 for his athletic works and contributions at Madison Grant and Mississinewa.
George delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Gas City where he sang in the choir. He loved his family and God and expressed his faith to others in his grace and patience. He was a role model for thousands of students. George enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, watching sports, going to the beach, and his morning cup of cappuccino. He passed his love of tennis to his grandchildren.
Along with his wife, loved ones left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Jennifer (Andy) Cassidy of Gas City, Tracy Spencer of Marion, Katherine (Adam) Atkinson of Muncie; brother, Jimmy (Gerry) Fratus; sister, Ruth Dailey; grandchildren, Kenneth (Kathleen) Cassidy, Kristin (Ben) Hyde, Caroline (Jacob) May, Audrey Spencer, Garrett Spencer, John Atkinson, Luke Atkinson, Samuel Atkinson. George has two great-grandsons, Daniel Hyde, Joshua Hyde; and his beloved dog, Cubby.
He was preceded in death by parents, Ervin S. and Alicia Fratus; brother, Ervin Fratus; and sister, Alice Warwick.
The family will receive visitors from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St, Gas City, IN.
A Funeral Service to celebrate George’s life will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, February 16, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church of Gas City 213 E. S. “A” St., Gas City, IN. Pastor Carolyn Mikesell will be officiating with burial following at Jefferson Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Marion-Grant County Humane Society P.O. Box 1921, Marion, IN 46952 or Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels America, P.O. Box 791568, Baltimore, MD 21279-1568.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
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