Biography: Edward D. Fry, II died January 13, 2012, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after an 8-month battle with cancer. Ed was born on November 23, 1956, in Alton, Illinois, and was an Arkansas resident since 1971. After graduating from Ouachita Baptist University at the age of nineteen, he immersed himself in Democratic politics and continued his education, studying for a master?s degree at Emory University in Atlanta and earning a law degree from the UALR Bowen School of Law in Little Rock. Ed started his career in 1978 at Worthen Bank, then at its leasing affiliate, FALCO. He was Chief of Staff for three successive Arkansas 2nd District Congressmen. After retiring from federal service, he worked for the consulting firm James Lee Witt and Associates in their Washington office until his death. Before moving in 1990 to Washington, DC, Ed was elected President of the Young Democrats of America. A life-long ?Yellow Dog? Democrat, Ed was one of the original ?Arkansas Travelers,? an enthusiastic group that campaigned around the country and helped personally introduce the nation to William Jefferson Clinton during the ?92 presidential campaign. Ed was a third generation mariner, earning his USCG Masters License at age 18. Many will remember his operation of the Motor Yacht ?CURRENT EVENT? for several years on the Arkansas River in Little Rock. Ed gained his love for the water from his grandfather who took him as a deck hand to deliver boats built by his father at Grafton, Illinois and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. During these early years, he crewed to many river locations and cities, including Boston, Philadelphia, and Santa Marta, Columbia, S.A. Ed is survived by his life partner, Mark W. McCullough of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; his parents, Edward D. and Patricia A. Fry and sister Leah Ann Taylor of Franklin, TN; sister Andrea Zomber of Edgewater, MD; six nieces and nephews and wonderful cousins in Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Missouri; and his special long-time friend, Ann Gilbert, of Little Rock. Ed requested his body be donated to the University of Miami?s Miller School of Medicine. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 N. Mississippi Street in Little Rock with the Reverend Betsy Singleton Snyder presiding. Immediately following the service, a reception for family and friends will be held at the Argenta Community Theater at 405 Main Street, North Little Rock. Memorials may be made to the Ed Fry Internship, payable to the Democratic Party of Arkansas, 1300 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, to the Clinton Global Initiative, 610 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, or for the Alumni Scholarship Fund, payable to the UALR Bowen School of Law, 1201 McMath Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202. Online guestbook and condolences at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com Live service may be viewed online beginning 1:45 CST at http://myflock.com/church4125