sedona legend helen frye

Jack Frye's

New Path Without Helen

Sedona Legend Profile Series

Decree Granted To Industrialist Frye
Prescott, June 27 1950 (U.P.)

Industrialist Jack Frye won dissolution of his nine-year marriage on testimony his wife preferred to stay in Arizona while his business kept him in the east. Frye, former president of Trans World Airlines and now head of the General Aniline and Film Corporation, appeared yesterday before Superior Judge Renz Jennings to get the decree.
His wife, formerly married to Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., had her maiden name of Helen Varner restored. Jennings also approved a property settlement giving her the Smoke Trail ranch in the Oak Canyon resort area near here and two other ranch properties plus a $1,200-monthly alimony for four years and the income from certain securities.

The year was 1950- Jack Frye's divorce from Helen was now final and he was free to marry Emily Nevada Smith (July 21, 1950.) He was still president and CEO of General Aniline and Film Corporation and receiving a very good salary. He and his new wife would have a good life. Helen Frye's fate was uncertain.

JACK FRYES' ARE DIVORCED Prescott Arizona- June 26, 1950

Jack Frye Leases Town Home May 30, 1951
The four story town house at 236 East Forty-Ninth Street, in Tuttle Bay Gardens, has been leased furnished, by Jack Frye, chairman of the board and president of the Aniline and Film Corporation. Culver, Hollyday & Co. represented the lessee. (Later Jack Frye purchased this entire building.)

In 1954, Jack formed the Frye Corporation. On January 27, 1955 (some sources cite '54) he resigned from General Aniline to pursue his new company. This company would design and produce his totally new plane design, tailored to the South American market and third world countries. The plane was engineered to be an economical cargo plane with a general range of 300 to 400 miles. It had 4 engines- two props and two jets. This was a very exciting prospect for Jack as he knew his heart was in the airline industry not as C.E.O. of Aniline-Ansco. His new corporation was based at Fort Worth Texas.

At this same time he became a major stockholder in the Helio Corporation. They manufactured small planes, one model called the Courier, which were geared to the executive personal plane market. With a payload design for 5 passengers or 1000 pounds, it was quite practical. These were short takeoff and landing STOL type aircraft with low stall speeds at less than 30 mph, cruising speeds of well over 100 mph, and a range of 400 to 1000 miles. They were designed to be used outside of airports, utilizing the owner's own property or areas where there was no airport. Produced in Pittsburg Kansas.

During this time period Jack and Emily had a daughter which they named "Nevajac" for both their names, "Nevada and Jack." In 1959 Jack was in Tucson actively raising money and support to relocate the Helio plant to Tucson. Jack was quite successful and raised $350,000 (some say 1/2 a million) toward a goal of 1 million dollars.

Jack Frye Property- Taos New Mexico

The following story appears here temporarily. It will soon be spun off into a new Sedona Legend Web Series titled "The Frye Homes." This new section will showcase phenomenal new information on the (Helen Frye) Sky Fires house, the famous Apache Fires house, and other Frye homes- the Wings of the Wind, the Doubleday Mansion, and the Frye Kansas City estate.

Armed with a just a few fuzzy images, no street address, and a 10-year window, this "missing" Taos property became the nearly unsolvable Taos Frye property mystery!
Finally though, a breakthrough in Tucson Arizona- I was not even sure that Frye actually "owned" the Taos property until last winter, when I finally stumbled onto an old newspaper article that mentioned the "house" as part of the late Jack Frye's estate. This was the smoking gun I was looking for. Even though Helen Frye was not associated with this property it is mentioned on Sedona Legend because it meant so much to Jack and his then young daughter, Nevajac. It is not known what Nevada Frye thought of Taos, N.M.

Why Taos?

I think this can easily be explained by Jack's Frye's deep love of the Southwest and his participation in the development of early Albuquerque air service with Transcontinental and Western Air. Frye was so well known in this one time small community of Albuquerque that the local taxi drivers knew him and his former wife, Helen Vanderbilt by sight. He and Helen Frye also spent much time in Santa Fe, N.M. working with prominent architect John Gaw Meem in the design of what eventually came to be known as the Apache Fires house in Sedona, Arizona. It is quite conceivable that during the 1940's Jack and his then wife, Helen discovered or at least visited, the charming village of Taos more than once on their many trips to Santa Fe.

The Taos property was purchased on September 2, 1955. The sale consisted of 3 deep lots at approximately 1 acre total within a mile of the historic Taos Plaza. The lots still exist today as identified by the original tax parcel numbers. The street address currently shows as 411 and 415 Theodora Street, Taos, N.M.

a Taos expression- simplicity

The Jack Frye property adjoined the historic El Pueblo Lodge at the time of purchase, as it still does today. The Frye “cottage" at 411 Theodora Street as it existed in 1955, is unfortunately not in evidence today due to extensive remodeling over the last 54 years. Photos of the original home are non-existent but there does exist photos of Jack Frye on the snow covered grounds. The house was a low slung compact traditional Taos adobe built by Saul Harberg in about 1935. Unusual for the village of Taos, it had a full basement. This particular Frye dwelling was as simple and unpretentious as Jack Frye himself, enhanced by flower gardens, apple trees, tall firs, deciduous trees, and a circle drive. Across the driveway was the Rosen house (407 Theodora Street) it was built at the same time as the Frye residence by Harberg's business partner, Max Ilfeld. Later they sold it to the Rosens. When Frye purchased the property, Dr. Albert M. and Myrtle S. Rosen were mentioned in the Frye Warranty Deed in regard to a property division.

Jack Frye purchased the Taos property from Taos dentist, Dr. Reo J. and Mary V. Benson. Another building of note on the Frye property is now listed as 415 Theodora Street. This particular adobe at one time at half its current size, was called the “hay barn” and served the former Benson adobe. This quaint cottage at one time was also owned by the El Pueblo Lodge and was rented out as the “Honeymoon Cottage.” The Rosen Adobe also had a "hay barn" on property as both homes stabled horses in the early years. This barn too has been remodeled into a small quaint adobe home. All other buildings on the 3 former Frye lots are not recognizable as being original structures from the 1950’s. The historic Brenner Home sits directly across the street from the Frye property, at 202 Beimer Street. A 1956 Frye photo of this beautiful adobe cloaked in heavy snow still exists today. Although currently slightly different in appearance, the adobe certainly must be a valued neighborhood asset.

The property becomes a fleeting memory

In 1959, Jack Frye purchased additional property in Tucson Arizona. It is assumed this was to be a part-time residence for Frye who at the time was instigating divorce proceedings against his wife, Nevada Smith Frye. Frye was heavily involved in a commercial venture in this south western community. After Jack’s death on February 3, 1959, his estranged widow, Nevada Frye, who was planning a new multi-million dollar home in posh Belvedere, California, had little need for a rustic old adobe and soon sold the property to Hugh and Myrtle Littrell. The sale was executed by Mrs. Frye from Europe through her attorneys. This sale was on the date of April 30 1959 recorded on July 20th 1959. Mrs. Frye carried part of the note for the property and remained the second lienholder until March 3 1966. This was the end of the Taos Frye association.

Sincere thanks to Barbara and Anne Brenner for their invaluable assistance in adding the final pieces to the puzzle of the Taos Frye property mystery! Grand daughter and Great Grand daughter of the prominent Taos artist Oscar E. Berninghaus, the Brenner family is recognized as a "Taos treasure" celebrating a long and rich heritage with the community. Interestingly a friend of the Frye family when they lived in Taos, was a Taos Pueblo Indian named "Looking Buffalo." This same Indian was known to the Brenner family as "Little Joe Gomez" and was a model for Berninghaus and the subject of a prominent 1941 painting titled, "Little Joe," as seen here. Jack and Helen Frye would have very much enjoyed this connection as they had a deep appreciation for Southwestern artists and held a surprisingly rich collection of southwestern art. Please see this page.

2009

The former Jack Frye adobe in Taos N.M. appears as shown above. Unfortunately the structure has been extensively remodeled and bears little resemblance to its former expression. When Frye owned the house and grounds they were meticulously maintained.

The photo to the left shows Theodora Street with an adjoining fence that surrounds the former Jack Frye property. The image to the right shows the building formerly known as the El Pueblo "Honeymoon Cottage" or the "hay barn." This dwelling is the most unaltered adobe building still in existence on the former Frye property today. The extended section on the right in the image is the original hay barn structure.

Please click any pictures for larger files

The Last Day- Tucson Arizona

Back Story

February 3, 1959 Tucson Arizona

Of Ghosts- a Suitcase Full of Cash-
Secret Meeting- and Howard Hughes

The day was Tuesday February 3rd 1959, Jack was staying at the Lodge on the Desert @ 306 North Alvernon Way, in Tucson Arizona. Because Jack and his wife Nevada were separated he had been staying there for about 8 months while in town on business promoting a new airplane factory. Mrs. Frye (the famous showgirl/actress Nevada Smith) was living in Las Vegas. This was not news to anyone, (within a year of their wedding newspapers in New York gave the couple’s marriage less than a year.) However they managed to make it a rocky 9 years with frequent separations and a child.

I visited the Lodge on the Desert in 2008, which incidentally, now, is no longer on the edge of the city but enveloped by it. I wanted to see Jack’s room and interview the staff. I thought they wouldn't know who Jack Frye was but I was wrong! Image my surprise when they not only knew who he was but stated that they felt his ghost haunted the historic property. I was flabbergasted, for one, I couldn’t imagine why Jack would haunt a hotel he only stayed at for a short time (as it was just a convenient and comfortable place for him to reside.) I asked the manager what on earth was the basis for the ghost story? She reached in her desk and showed me a photograph of a wedding event in which the reception was held in the lodge’s dining room. It seems that after the wedding the blissful couple excitedly looked over their photos only to find one which was marred by swirls of what looked like “ectoplasm?” After scrutinizing the photo and scanning it I could see there was apparently some basis for it being designated a “ghost” picture. But “what” or “who” was responsible for the photo’s anomaly?

I took numerous photos of the same room with dining tables, backdrops, etc. Later, after studying the "ghost image" I can honestly say there does appear to be the shadow of a man who looks suspiciously like the newspaper image of Frye (seen above) which ran with an article about him in the Tucson Citizen shortly before he died. But wait! After studying the dining room and the subsequent photos, the angle of the shot and the position of the pots behind the plate glass backdrop I am more inclined to say the purported "ghost figure" element of the image diminishes under close scrutiny. Likely what is seen is a reflection of light and the large urns with plants behind the plate glass window in the background (the ectoplasm swirls aside.) I would like more than anyone to think that it might actually be a photo of the ghost of Jack Frye but prefer to take a responsible stance of objectivity in my work. My question is, who decided it was Frye and why? Is he the only celebrity that has had any tragedy associated with the lodge?

The staff graciously showed me number “16” where Jack resided. This was verified by what the management stated was a “guest register” however, upon subsequent scrutiny and discussion with the previous owner of the lodge it was proven to be merely a "mail delivery log." Nevertheless Jack’s name was listed for deliveries to room number "16." There is no guest registry “book” for the lodge and there never was. The prior management kept the names of the guests in a card file which was later discarded by subsequent owners. I know something about hotels since I worked at two of the finest in the state- L'Auberge and Enchantment in Sedona. Interestingly L'Auberge was owned at the time I was employed there by several partners one of which was Dan Donahoe. The same Donahoe currently owns the Lodge on the Desert property. Perhaps this gentleman envisions another L'Auberge-like property which at one time was one of the finest French Country Inns in the nation (patrons would fly-in from all over just to dine there!)

Number 16 has long since been remodeled, yet in Jack’s time, it was actually a 2-room suite (16 and 17) with kitchenette. Jack initially signed a 3-month lease with the previous owner, contingent on air-conditioning being installed in the room, a luxury he desired for his toddler daughter, Nevajac. He resided in these rooms off and on for about 6 months. I took many photos, hoping for a “ghost” image of my own, but with the exception of one small plasma orb nothing unusual was seen.

The staff encouraged me to contact Mr. Schuy Lininger, the previous owner of the Lodge (since 1947) which by the way, previously was owned by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Homer B. Lininger. The lodge was opened in 1936 (originally a private residence) by this couple from Evanston, Illinois. They operated it in the winters, returning home to the more temperate climate of Chicago, for the hot Arizona summers.

Yes, Mr. Lininger remembered the famous Jack Frye. He spoke very highly of him and of his wife Nevada. He remembered her clearly, as being very nice and very beautiful, “a tall redhead” as he recalled. One is inclined to remember her that way, or as her daughter Nev does, later in life after Jack’s death, as a stunning “dish” with coiffed hair dressed to perfection driving a big Cadillac convertible looking every bit the New York City celebrity she always was. Despite what the newspapers spun at the time of Jack’s death, the couple was separated by 1959. Jack contacted his father right before he died and his father agreed to take Jack’s young daughter during what Jack felt was going to be a rather messy divorce. Jack kept a plane at the Tucson airport, likely his Helio and one day offered to take Lininger and his number-3 son for a 15-20 minute flight over Tucson. An event warmly related, after all these years! This was typical for Jack who was always offering to take friends for flights. From the time of a teenager Frye was more comfortable in a plane than on the ground. Yet, a little known fact, was that Jack Frye was afraid of heights…. (but not flying.) Imagine that!

Then there was the story of the “buried money.” I started to feel like I was being led down the garden path, as the visit to Lodge started to take on an surreal "Al Capone's Vault-like" association. The manager mentioned to me that they hoped to someday find the suitcase full of cash that Mr. Frye had buried on the property, going further to jokingly state the lost cash would come in handy for some much needed renovations! Knowing Jack Frye pretty well, I was again bowled over! She proceeded to tell me that when Jack was staying at the Lodge, there was a maid working there at the time, who came into his room and saw on the bed a suitcase that was opened and stuffed full of cash. The staff didn’t seem to be able to offer an explanation as to “why” there was a suitcase full of money in his room? My impression was, the next time the maid went into the room the money was mysteriously gone. For whatever reason (maybe Frye was known to have not left the Lodge for a time after the incident) it was thought that the money was not banked but rather buried on property, as it was never seen again. Interesting conclusion, eh? Jack’s daughter Nev was equally amused (actually more flabbergasted) when I related this fantastic tale. She does remember as a little girl, visiting her father at the Lodge and staying in his “suite.”

Of course as a Jack Frye historian, I immediately started wondering “what, why, and how?” The maid seems to be unavailable- dead or imaginary so I must draw my own conclusions. It was well publicized before Jack died, that he was raising money in Tucson for a new airplane factory project. He had raised 350 thousand dollars which was promptly returned to the investors after his death. So knowing that stories usually start with an actual event, but not always, is the event remembered factually or the way it actually occurred? My feeling is that the maid likely did see some money in his room. This cash was very likely some of the funds which were raised in Tucson from local business persons, perhaps even from a previous late night banquet. For whatever reason, Jack had not yet deposited the money and some of it at least, possibly, was in the form of cash. The maid enters the suite and sees something she shouldn’t have. Jack trusted the staff so likely he was not alarmed. The money was then quickly secured by Frye. However somewhere along the way, someone assumes the money was buried on the property? That one I can’t explain…. but it makes quite a tale!

Fact is- that at Jack’s death, he left perhaps a million dollars in lost assets which took years and many high powered attorneys to recover. Jack was a multi-millionaire and this was often stated in the newspapers. However, I have never, and would not be inclined to, ever think that he would bury a suitcase full of money in the first place and certainly not on property he didn't own. He owned property all over the country at the time. Interestingly though herein lies an interesting hypothesis. Perhaps, if a person did believe the ghost and buried cash story, then this would be the reason that Jack is "allegedly" haunting the property? Keep in mind that if the "alledged" money is ever discovered, I'm sure Jack would be very happy if it could be offered to his daughter, who was robbed of his ample inheritance. Perhaps then, the haunting would stop and he would be at peace? The Lodge on the Desert was in a state of construction when I was there so any ghost hunting was for naught. As well the previous owner who was associated with the property from its inception said he had never heard of any such Frye tales and was quite surprised and totally confused as to how they got started. Perhaps a little publicity?

Back to our documentation of Jack’s last day- I located a newspaper article written after Jack’s death, of an interview with Jack’s good friend, Bob Schmidt (now deceased) who was at the time, head of the (T.A.A.) Tucson Airport Authority. Bob related in the article, Jack had met with him the afternoon he died at the Tucson Airport and had taken a flight over Tucson. So Jack, a man that loved flying more than life itself, flew one last time just 2 hours before he died! Only a consummate pilot could understand the significance of this event one which gives me cold chills. A significant event previously lost to time.

Above (right) is Bob Schmidt, Manager of the Tucson Airport Authority from 1948 to 1962. This lovely portrait found hanging at the Tucson International Airport is a tribute to this great Tucson business leader and personal friend of Jack Frye. Bob was one of the last men to meet and fly with Jack Frye on the the day he tragically died.

The beautiful commemorative plaque, as seen above to the left is displayed at the Tucson International Airport. It was mounted on the 37th anniversary of Tucson's very first commercial air service, Standard Airlines, launched by Jack Frye. American Airlines acquired some of the assets of the Standard Air Lines company. Jack Frye can truly be considered the founding father of the very first Tucson Airport Commercial Air Service.

The other poignant event that took place in the last hours of Jack’s life was that he met with Howard Hughes. This is thought to be the last person Jack saw before he died. But can this proved? Yes, simply with two witnesses, (one deceased.) That evening, a physician of Jack's, Charles H. Carpenter, of Glendale California received a phone call from Frye in Tucson Arizona. The call came to the doctor’s home after business hours. This physician was an intimate friend of both Helen and Jack Frye from the mid-1940’s. He also treated Jack in 1946, during a time when Jack was exhausted mentally and physically during the infamous TWA pilot's strike. Please see the detailed and extensive medical journal, "Fountain of Youth" which was written by Carpenter's son, (Charles) detailing his father's career which included the treatment of Jack Frye and Helen Frye.

To paraphrase- the mysterious call went like this: Jack stated he was with Howard Hughes at the Hughes facility in Tucson. He went on to relate that when he first met Howard that evening, he told Howard "you are really looking rough." He then encouraged Howard to see (Jack's) own doctor, (Carpenter) for help. Jack had explained to Hughes that Carpenter was pioneering a revolutionary new treatment program in which Jack himself was participating and believed in. After some coaxing from his old friend Jack, Howard agreed to make an appointment with Carpenter later that evening.

This was the sole purpose of the phone call from Tucson- for Jack to notify Dr. Carpenter that Howard would call later that evening for a consultation (as soon as he, Jack left the facility.) The doctor's son Charles was in the room when the call took place and told me his father was very excited about the prospect of treating Hughes, as he was hoping for an association, an "in" with the Hughes Medical Institute. The Carpenters waited for Howard’s promised call but it never came. The next time the phone rang was later in the evening and it was not Hughes but Helen Frye, in Sedona, saying Jack had died in a tragic accident. Howard, Jack and Helen were all intimate friends. I have no reason to doubt this story as the source is beyond reproach. Interestingly this is likely the last phone call Jack made before he died. However he was in touch with Helen Frye that night too. Later, she told Carpenter’s son over lunch in Los Angeles, that she and Jack were in the process of planning a re-marriage when he unexpectedly was killed.

Today I went out to the former Hughes facility (H.M.S.C.) where Jack and Howard were thought to have met that fateful evening, only to find access is severely limited. Security fences everywhere, no trespassing signs, guards, and “no cameras allowed” signs. Howard initiated the facility in 1951, but within a year, he sold 51 percent of the property to the United States Government. A crafty move for Hughes who made most his later money off United States Defense Contracts, (a little known fact.) A move, incidently, which enraged Tucson city goverment officials because of the loss of tax revenues. They bent over backwords helping Hughes initiate the venture and invested heavily in improvements for the remote location. From that point on Hughes developed the Falcon missile and other defense products at this facility. This was the location of the secret meeting, a clandestine rendezvous between two famous men, the richest man in the world and the former president-founder of Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA) and former CEO of Aniline Film Corporation (Kodak’s only world rival.)

Since 1997, Ratheon Missile Systems Company has operated the section of the facility that is not being controlled by the United States Air Force. Howard was always meeting people in dark hangars or empty office buildings. Jack knew only too well, Howard’s idiosyncrasies, from 1927- on. It seems though the meeting wasn’t set up to discuss Howard’s poor drug induced health. Jack told Carpenter that Howard had agreed to come on line with a broached airplane project, a big boon for the city of Tucson at the time. The business proposition was two-fold, Jack was launching the ‘oft delayed Frye Safari aircraft manufacturing facility and as well, negotiating the move of the Helio aircraft facility from Pittsburg, Kansas to Tucson. We can be assured that a deal was made that entailed one or both of these two projects. Jack and Howard would not have met if it wasn’t business, as this was always the foundation of their association.

So was Howard really in Tucson on February 3, 1959? This can likely never be proven. Hell, even Howard’s closest associates often knew not whether Howard was in the next room or in another state. However, one fact is certain a phone call was made from the Hughes facility to Glendale, California that evening, at about 5:00 P.M. The call was likely from a "Hughes private line" and did not go through the facility switchboard. This call was made in the presence of Howard Hughes, by Jack Frye.

After the meeting when Jack left the facility and walked out to his car, there is little doubt he must have felt pretty contented. He and Howard had agreed to be business partners again. He lit a cigar and pulled his big new '59 sedan on to the Hughes Access Road and started driving the route back toward town. Little did he know, he would never reach his destination of the Lodge on the Desert nor would he live out the rest of his life.

The above story and the one to follow are part of the future book project
"The Jack and Helen Frye Story" and appear on this web site as a preview.

Jack's early association with Tucson Arizona (1927 and 1929) and the inauguration of the first airline service for this community can be seen on this page with historic photos! History of the Tucson Airport Authority can be found on this page where you will find a 1927 photo of Jack Frye beside a Standard Air Line Fokker passenger plane. Jack was founder, president, and pilot of the first Tucson service.

A Lonely Road in Arizona

Commemorating the 50 Year Anniversary of Jack Frye's Death. February 3 2009

Here was a man- one of the all time greatest legends of aviation history- he flew some of the riskiest flights and spent more hours in planes than most people spend in cars, yet he died on a lonely sand swept road in a car, not a plane at the hands of a drunken careless driver on top of that. Fate deals us all that final card in the most unpredictable way....

The famous "Lodge on the Desert" Tucson Arizona. Likely early 1940's.

The day was Tuesday, February 3rd, 1959, Jack was staying at the Lodge on the Desert- 306 N. Alvernon Way in Tucson Arizona. Because Jack and his wife Nevada were separated, he had been staying there for about 8 months while in town promoting a new airplane factory. Mrs. Frye was residing in Las Vegas. That evening Jack was returning to the Lodge after a business meeting in a 1959 Fairlane 500 rental car, traveling north on Palo Verde Blvd. This area is in South Tucson, near Davis-Monthan A.F.B., Pima Air Museum, Hughes Access Rd., Hughes Aircraft Facility, and Tucson International Airport.

East Palo Verde Road and Ajo Highway, the "Jack Frye Memorial Highway" intersection.

The driver of a speeding station wagon was approaching from the west toward the intersection of Ajo Highway and Palo Verde Boulevard as Jack Frye approached. Even though the station wagon approached a stop sign the car did not slow and proceeded to impact the side of Jack's car toward the left rear. Jack unsuccessfully tried to swerve to avoid the collision. The impact spun the station wagon around and Jack's car proceeded to roll out of control down the road for 178 feet, finally coming to a rest 40 feet out in the desert. Jack was no longer in the car however as he was ejected and thrown nearly 40 feet. The woman driver of the vehicle which hit Jack Frye never even applied her brakes and received only minor injuries. The time was 6:48 p.m. The make of the station wagon is unknown. A photo of Jack's Ford sedan has been located. In the newspapers it was titled "the Death Car." This tag because of the lawsuit filed against the drunk driver.

The intersection of Ajo Way and Palo Verde Road is now so large and urbanized it is hard to imagine what it looked like in 1959. This is where Jack Frye found himself fighting for his life laying in the desert, critically injured, after being broadsided by a drunk woman in a speeding mass of steel through a stop sign at over 50 m.p.h. Jack didn't stand a chance!

The Pima County Sheriff's Dept. likely arrived in a '58 Ford Fairlane Interceptor. (This was the well-remembered cruiser that was kept at the nearby sub-station at the time.) What the officer found was a fatally injured man clinging to life. One witness reported a friend of Jack's at the scene comforting him, a mystery that has never been solved. The entire accident was witnessed by the driver of a car that had just turned west on Ajo.

This still dangerous intersection was at one time just a country road, with 2 stop signs for Ajo Highway where it intersected from the west and the east. At the time, it was known as Ajo Highway and also East Ajo Road.

An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and rushed Jack Frye to St. Mary's Hospital 20-minutes to the northwest. Heart wrenching as it is witnesses were said to have heard Frye plea, "please help me!" Hospital doctors and nurses tried desperately to save Jack's life for over an hour but his injuries were just too severe, his life steadily ebbed away.

The '59 Cadillac ambulance to the left is akin to the type of emergency vehicle which responded to the accident scene, as requested by the Pima County Sheriff's Department, for transport to St. Mary's on the night of February 3, 1959.

The final card was dealt. A door opened that night between our physical world and the other side. William John 'Jack' Frye died at 8:35 p.m. from massive external and internal injuries. God called this great man back home- a light was extinguished in our world- simultaneously, another light was brilliantly illuminated in heaven. Jack had come home.

St. Mary's Hospital as seen in January of 2009. Although the hospital is greatly expanded today, the main core is very similar to what it looked like in 1959. St Mary's is the oldest continuously operating hospital in Arizona, and Tucson's busiest. Within this old building is the emergency room where Jack Frye left our world for the other side. Frye remains today one of the most famous people to have died at historic St. Mary's.

The tragedy is Jack Frye died all alone in a remote hospital surrounded by strangers, far away from Sedona Arizona a community he considered home. Not a fitting end for a man who was so well-known, beloved, and admired by thousands of people. The ironic thing is that one of Jack's biggest accomplishments in life was making air transportation the safest possible for the traveling public, to include the Boeing Stratoliner, Constellation, and DC Series airliners, as well as many airplane safety features still in use today. When asked about a new plane he was developing in the late 1950's, he was quoted as saying, "this is the safest plane in the world, I am going to fly one into a brick wall someday to prove it." On the other hand, automobiles in the late 1950's were rolling death traps!

Frye Smoke Trail Ranch-
Apache Fires House- Sedona Arizona

In the early hours of the morning the ominous ringing of a phone is heard wailing in the dark night- finally the phone is answered..... "Yes, yes, this is Helen Frye..."

After a few moments of exchanged words the receiver is shakily replaced. Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye overwhelmed with anguish, nearly passes out as she collapses onto a sofa her body wracked with grief.... nothing further is heard from the House of Apache Fires for hours except soft weeping- the heart wrenching sound echoing out onto the terraces and into the moonlit night, spilling over the meadows and valleys of Smoke Trail Ranch.

For reasons unknown, I have located a witness, who states Jack's then wife, Nevada Frye, was not located or contacted until the next morning. Another witness says Helen Frye was called either shortly after the accident or at Jack's death. Helen was calling her and Jack's friends at 3 a.m. in the morning, relating the tragedy. It is said by Frye intimates Helen and Jack were considering re-marriage at this time-frame.

Jack's funeral was held on Friday, at 11:00 a.m. According to Jack's daughter, Nevajac Frye, Jack was given a military service, with full honors. Jack was laid to rest at Grantwood Memorial Park, which is now Tucson Memorial Park in Tucson Arizona.

Update- Please note- Jack's sister Sunny in California had Jack's body moved in 1989 from Tucson Arizona, to Texas. Jack has now been re-interred along side his brother, Patrick Donald Frye, their parents and grandparents, at the family plot in Wheeler Texas. Please see the Wheeler Times article at the bottom of this webpage.

Jack Frye's Death left-

a trail of broken dreams and heartache

(The following two articles were as reported in the Tucson Citizen and other newspapers)

$252,000 Suit Filed In Frye Death
Mrs. Wright Is Defendant

March 18, 1959

Damages of 252,000 are sought in a wrongful death lawsuit filed yesterday against Mrs.
Rosabell Wright, the driver whose car killed Jack Frye, Feb 3rd. Frye was a prominent aviation executive and former president of Trans World Airlines. He played a major part in efforts to bring the Helio Aircraft Corp. to Tucson. The suit was filed by Mrs. Nevada S. Frye, 1905 Elm Street, as executrix of her late husband’s estate. It alleges that Mrs. Wright, a 42-year-old hospital linen clerk, operated her station wagon in a negligent manner, causing it to ram into Frye’s rented car.

The accident occurred at about 7 p.m. as Frye was driving northward on Palo Verde and Mrs. Wright was eastbound on Ajo Way. Witnesses said the woman’s vehicle went through a stop sign. According to the lawsuit, Frye “had extensive business interests, was at the peak of his career, would have engaged in many future business activities, and would have earned and accumulated large sums in the future had he not been killed….”
He was 54 years old, the suit says he had a life expectancy of 21.75 years.

According to papers filed in Superior Court, where Frye’s will probated, he left an estate worth more than $300,000. His principle heirs are the widow and their 5-year-old daughter, Nevajac. Attorney William G. Hall filed the Superior Court suit. Mrs. Wright has pleaded innocent to a charge of involuntary maslaughter. Her superior Court trial is set for April 20. She told officers she was blinded by the lights of an oncoming car and didn’t see the stop sign. Mrs. Wright is represented by Attorneys Dominic Piccirilli and Lawrence P. D’Antonio. She lives at 6281 East 28th Street, Tucson, Ariz.

Please note- The estimated amount of Frye's estate shown above was just a preliminary figure. The total estimate of his worth was never published. It took many years to locate his hidden assets some of which are still being sought even today.

The Trial-

Anatomy of an Accident

Details not found in newspaper accounts

Jury Rules Mrs. Wright At Fault In Frye Death
May 27, 1959 A six-man coroner’s jury ruled yesterday aviation pioneer Jack Frye, 54, died as the result of an automobile accident caused by “Rosabell M. Wright unlawfully passing a stop sign.” Mrs. Wright, 43, of 6281 E. 28th St., was the driver of a station wagon that ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed, slamming into Frye’s rented 1959 sedan Tuesday night at S. Palo Verde Blvd. and E Ajo Rd.

Former president of Trans World Airlines and promoter of the plane to bring the Helio Air Craft Corp. to Tucson, Frye died two hours after the accident. County Atty. Harry Ackerman said he planned to file involuntary manslaughter charges against Mrs. Wright, “probably Monday.” Involuntary manslaughter is a high misdemeanor. It involves a death which occurs in a commission of an unlawful act not amounting to the a felony. Akerman pointed out that Mrs. Wright committed a misdemeanor when she failed to stop at the stop sign.

Dr. Ian M. Chesser, who treated Frye after the accident testified that death resulted from shock caused by severe injuries to the brain. Frye also suffered fractures of both thighs and a possible spinal cord injury, the physician testified. He said that there was no evidence that Frye had been drinking. Deputy S. L. Wade, who arrived at the scene about three minutes after the accident the collision occurred, said his investigation revealed Mrs. Wright’s vehicle, eastbound on East Ajo road, failed to stop at the Palo Verde stop sign. It struck the rear portion of Frye’s northbound automobile. Wade testified further that the area is unlighted and there was no moon the night of the accident. Wade quoted Mrs. Wright as saying she saw the lights of the other car and then didn’t remember anything until she was getting out of her car after the crash.

An eye-witness, Howard Blackmore, 4602 E. 15th St., told the coroner’s jury he had been traveling south on Palo Verde, slowed down and turned west on Ajo road. “As I made the turn I saw a station wagon coming along very fast and I thought it wouldn’t be able to stop,” he said. “I slowed down and looked back and saw the station wagon hit the other car.” Blackmoore said that he did not hear any “brake squeals.” Wade’s earlier testimony that there were no skid marks at the accident scene indicated neither driver attempted to stop.

Chemist Edward L. Breazeale, who ran a blood-alcohol test on a sample of Mrs. Wright’s blood taken four hours after the accident, told the jury he found no trace of alcohol. However, Ralph Desouza, 6118 S. Park Ave., a janitor at the Veterans Hospital where Mrs. Wright is employed, testified that he and Mrs. Wright- along with a man he knew only as “Chapman”- had gone to a South Park bar about 5 P.M., the evening of the accident. He said Mrs. Wright had consumed about four glasses of tap beer and was still at the bar at 6:15 when he left.

Called to testify by Coroner Norman Green, Mrs. Wright, who suffered torn ligaments of the right leg in the accident, hobbled into the courtroom on crutches. Her attorney; Lawrence D’Antonio, said Mrs. Wright had still not recovered from the shock of the accident and did not realize the “full import of the matter.” Green excused her from taking the stand. (5 and 1/2 hours- the case went to jury at 4:20 p.m. and shortly after 11 p.m. the unanimous verdict was returned by nine women and three men).

Please note- According to Jack’s sister Sunny and others involved at the time, the driver who hit Jack's car was drunk. Why this was not pursued legally likely had to do with the inconclusive, (at the time primitive) alcohol blood test. It is possible, Wright (to sober up) drank an excessive amount of coffee in the 4 hours it took the police to order the blood test, thus diluting her blood alcohol level. The testimony, from the witness who was with her at the bar right before the accident is quite compelling.

It is my opinion, the prosecutors knew she was likely too drunk to drive, but did not have the evidence (botched) so they pursued the other charges. Also telling is the fact that they stated in court that she didn’t realize the full import of the matter. This is typical of a drunk driver who is so dazed at the accident scene that they never ever fully comprehend what they have done. A 252-thousand-dollar lawsuit (quite excessive for the time) hints of extenuating circumstances, as well. Unfortunately, so may witnesses are dead, to include Wright, that it is impossible to determine all the circumstances of this tragedy.

February 4, 1959

This grainy photo of a 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 is all that remains of the "death car" as the local newspaper tagged the Frye accident vehicle. All photos from the accident and police files seem to have vanished at this late date. Caption- "This is the 1959 auto which Jack Frye, aviation pioneer, was driving last night when he was fatally injured in an accident at E. Ajo Way and Palo Verde Blvd."

Jack's death appeared 'front page' on many newspapers around the country. To read the articles please either click on the page to the left or on this pdf file. Thank you to the Tucson Citizen without which we would not have this wonderful historic reference and tribute to Jack Frye!

The End Of A Life- A Legacy of Flight!

Rumors- Recently I read an 'oft repeated conclusion that is simply irresponsible and totally unfounded. The statement is an assault on Jack's character and business judgments. Obviously, no attempt has been made by writers to research the true facts. The genearl statement basically conveys that Jack Frye "died broke" and left nothing but an insurance policy for his wife and young daughter. Further- that all his money was invested in his new airplane company. Nearly 50 years later, documents are readily available which reveal this is absolutely untrue.

Jack Frye died a very wealthy man- a multi-millionaire. He did not invest all his money in a final airplane venture. He sought out investors for that purpose as any prominent business man would do. This money was returned to investors after his death. Jack was a genius with finances- shrewd and secretive this is very obvious by the wealth he accumulated. He provided luxuriously for all his wives and through business, he provided a good life for thousands of Transcontinental and Western Air employees and colleagues, and in association, their families. Many people have Jack Frye to thank for their successes and many are forthcoming in regard to this fact. Howard Hughes's influx of mega-money into TWA was due to Jack Frye's influence and friendship.

When Jack died, his affairs were a tangle this is to be sure, but this was not Jack's doing. His estate became a boondoggle only after he died. His wishes were not followed, legal papers were destroyed and paper trails covered up. His wealth was hushed up and not made public. Not only were his relatives kept in the dark, as to the true state of his affairs but his own daughter who I have been working closely, has only in the last twenty years learned the whole story. At the time of Jack's death he was separated from his wife and desired a divorce. However, his death reversed this and she in turn lived like a queen all over Europe and in the United States. Her homes were akin to palaces and she had access to unlimited funds from Jack's estate and her daughter's trust fund for over 20 years. When she died, unscrupulous people helped themselves to the rest of the tidy sum.

The biggest tragedy of all, is that Jack's own daughter who he worshipped ended up being cut off from his financial legacy. His loving intention was to provide for her in a "Legal Trust" as well as many others. However, his intentions were disregarded in the most dishonorable manner by high powered attorneys. Now, many years after his death, it is said by misinformed people that he died broke. Certainly this is the supreme insult to a successful man like Jack Frye or any man! I feel strongly that Jack would want me to clarify this shadow on his character and more details will be revealed in my future book.

In light of the long shadow cast by Howard Hughes, as associated with TWA, the information available to the public in regard to Jack's business practices and legacy is foggy at best, and certainly Jack, is no longer able to speak for himself. However, the facts are readily revealed when one researches his true life story.

October 10, 1949 Newsweek

In Hollywood an oil man quipped: "When you see a group of movie people talking on the set, you don't know whether they're discussing an oil well or a movie."

Oil was on Hollywood's mind. Moviedom's tax-bitten stars thought they had found a sure- or almost sure- way out of their troubles in the high tax brackets. If they struck oil they could deduct 50% to 75% of the drilling expenses from their income and later deduct 27 1/2% of their annual gross from the well, as "depletion." Moreover, they could sell the well later and pay only a long-term capital gains (25%) tax on the profit. If the well was dry they could write off the whole cost as a loss, thus cut down taxable income. Though many a hopeful had hit nothing but sand and salt from Texas to Utah, last week a handful of luckier stars hit it rich! Black Gold- near Wichita Falls, Texas, Gene Autry's sixth well, begun a fortnight ago had come in handsomely. The drillers had struck oil at 5,000 feet. The well gushed 1,200 barrels the first day and settled down to a tidy daily flow of 1,000 barrels. (Autry owns equal shares in the claim with two Texas Wildcatters.) Last week, drillers started a seventh well and planned to drill some 20 more on Autry's property.

Jimmy Stewart reported a steady 800 barrels a day from his Number-1 well, brought in at 4,180 feet near Vernal Utah, last fortnight. Stewart and his partners, (among them: Continental Airlines' President Robert Six; Howard Hughes's ubiquitous agent, Johnny Meyer; and General Aniline & Film's Chairman, Jack Frye) -had risked $75,000.00 on a tip Meyer got from a geologist who had previously tipped Meyer and Frank Sinatra to another payoff site- (Sinatra's "Crooner Number 1" well in Wyoming.)

'Stardust' in Texas' Scurry County on a 1,700-acre tract leased by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, drillers brought in a 1,000-barrel well, their second in two months. Hope, Crosby, and their two Texas partners promptly begin drilling two more. Nearby, Don Ameche who had leased 21,600 acres with three Chicago partners had put up $200,000.00 to sink a wildcat. Just east of the small town of Rotan, Texas where he had leased 1,500 acres- Randolph Scott and his partner found oil sands at 5,700 feet, hoped to be producing "within three weeks." Not all of Hollywood's wildcatters had been so lucky. Directors John Huston and Mervyn Le Roy, actor Dennis O'Keefe and several oilmen, recently sank $194,000.00 into a 10,500 foot dry well near Inglewood, California. Even those who had made strikes would not necessarily turn them into profits; they still had the problem of operating the well and marketing the oil. As one California oilman put it: "I can give you an oil well which is actually producing a good amount of oil, and bet you'll go broke if you don't know what you're doing. The stars.... don't know about the business..."

That last statement is a broad assumption that certainly can't be applied to Jack Frye. There are several attributes Jack possessed and executed well- building a national and international transportation dynasty, amazing business acumen, cattle ranching, oil wells, and making money....

My Brother Jack Frye

By Jack's sister, Ople (Sunny) Frye Thomas

In 1926, Jack formed the "Aero Corporation of California." In 1927, he organized "Standard Airlines." He was president of both- In 1929, Jack arranged with Texas-Pacific Railway where they together formed the, 1st, Coast to Coast air rail service- Same year- Jack established with Aeronautic Transport Corporation of Mexico, Interline Passenger Service between Standard routes and Mexico City. In 1930, Jack merged Standard Air with Western Air Express, and was Vice President in Charge of Operations- Later that year, W.A. Express routes from San Francisco to Kansas City were merged with Transcontinental Air Transport-Maddux Airlines, to form (Transcontinental and Western Air) T.W.A. Jack was Vice President and Director in Charge of Operations.

Donald Douglas Sr. states that the most important letter he ever received was from my brother Jack, asking if he could build a plane with certain specifications, which turned out to be the famed "Grand Old Lady," the DC-1 and 2. In 1934, Jack became President of T.W.A.- Flying time had been reduced from 48 hours to 16 hours- He was a leader in the development of high altitude all weather flying equipment.

Jack and Howard Hughes developed the famed "Constellation" inaugurating 300 mile per hr. over-weather service coast-to-coast, and over the Atlantic. T.W.A, under Jack, was 1st to adopt de-icer systems, automatic pilot, air brakes, and anti-static radio direction finders- He was 1st to adopt "Air-Mass" theory of weather forecasting for airlines and to have pilots prepare written flight plans in advance of departure, and alternate plans for emergencies. During WWII, T.W.A. Stratoliners and other aircraft were operated for the air force in thousands of missions all over the world. Jack served the government in establishing Modification Centers, Training Schools for pilots, navigators and flight engineers, and performed a variety of special services for the Navy, Air Force, and the United States Government.

In 1947, Jack resigned from T.W.A. and became President, and Chairman of the Board of General Aniline and Film Corporation. He was there 8 years. Under Jack's direction was new Ansco Color Film, for professional motion pictures. A hot oil process, for vat dying of cottons, new camera models with superior lenses, shutters etc., new dyes, plastics, pharmaceutical PVP heat (blood plasma substitute,) Gafite, a clear plastic material, tough, and highly heat resistant that promises better hoods for jet airplanes. When Jack took over the Presidency of General Aniline in 1947, the records of the previous year showed the company had done $67,813,000 in sales. In 1953, the company reached all-time-high sales of $109,000,000 In addition to serving on the Board, Jack was a director of the Electronatom Corporation, and Maryland Casualty Company. He was a "fellow" of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, and a Trustee, of the Southwest Research Institute, and Institute of Inventive Research. He was active in Civic, Welfare, and Philanthropic Organizations.

In 1946, Jack was awarded the "Medal of Merit" by the President of the United States for performing air transport service of vital importance during World War II. He was decorated by the Italian Government, receiving the "Grand Officer of the Crown of Italy," for assistance and re-establishing air service to replace war shattered transportation following WWII. Jack served with the Army Engineers, 1921-22. He was commissioned Lieutenant U.S.N.R. 1934, promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1940, honorably discharged in 1952. He had membership in the Army and Navy Club, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Wings Club, Conquistadores del Cielo (founder).

My brother was killed February 3rd, 1959, in Tucson Arizona, hit by a car driven by a person who had drunk 4 beers and ran a red light. What a sad waste of talent! Jack was in Tucson working on a new type of plane at the time of his death. Please see this page on Sunny.

University of Arizona- Tucson- Awards 12

Medallions- To Citizens For Art Activities

University of Arizona 75th Anniversary Medallions

April 09 1960- Awarded to Mrs. Nevada Frye- Belvedere, California. Mrs. Frye, and her late husband, Jack Frye, for many years participated actively in the development of community affairs and cultural development at the University of Arizona, as well as sponsoring and stimulating artistic endevors throughout the country.

Honoring a Legend!

April 26, 1962

A ceremony officially dedicating a T.W.A. facility, an 8-story-building, at 1307 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, MO., for the training of pilots, engineers, hostesses- was christened: the "Jack Frye Training Center." His daughter Lili Nevajac Frye unveiled the bronze relief plaque which read:

Jack Frye
President of T.W.A.
1934-1947
"This Building Is Dedicated To Him As A Tribute
To His Leadership In The Worldwide Transportation Industry."

The main speaker of the ceremony was former U.S. President, Harry S. Truman- Chairmen of the Board were many- from Sears, Ford Motor Co., Shell Oil, to Airline Executives, Politicians, etc., and Pilots.
(per Sunny Frye Thomas)

Wheeler Times (hometown of Jack Frye)

"Wheeler, town of friendship and pride"

Thursday, November 9, 1989

This article ran when Jack's body was moved from Tucson-Grantwood Memorial Park in Tucson Arizona and reinterred at the Frye family plot, in Wheeler Texas. Jack is now at rest beside his brother, Donald Frye.

Photo to the right, ran with the newspaper article. It was autographed by Jack in 1937.

In Memorial

William Jack Frye was the son of William and Nellie Frye. He was born March 18, 1904 in Sweetwater, OK. After his mother's death he lived with his grandparents Henry and Lula Frye at the Frye Ranch, (outside of Wheeler). He attended Red Rock School, Wheeler High School and Carver Chiropractic College in Oklahoma City.

1926- Age 23, Jack formed "Aero Corporation of California."
1927- Jack organized "Standard Airlines," a carrier division of Aero Corp. He was president of both.
1929- Jack made arrangements with Texas Pacific Railroads for the joint operations for the country's first coast-to-coast air service.
1930- Jack merged Standard Airlines with Western Air Express, becoming Vice President in charge of operations. Later that year, the Western Air Express routes merged with Transcontinental Maddux Air Lines. Jack was made Vice President and Director in Charge of Operations.
Jack worked with Donald Douglas, Sr., and engineers, to develop the first famous Douglas DC Series Transport planes. In the book, "The Grand Old Lady," Donald Douglas, Sr., states that the most important letter I ever received was from Jack Frye, giving specifications and various ideas on what became the DC1, asking D. Douglas Sr., if he could build it. The rest is history.
TWA was the first to put into commercial use, the DC1 and DC2.

In 1934, Jack became President of TWA.
Transcontinental travel time had been reduced from 48 hours to 16 hours.
While with TWA, Jack was the first to adopt the de-icer system, automatic pilot, air brakes, anti-static radio, and the directional finder.
1947- Jack resigned from TWA, and became President and Chairman of the Board for General Aniline and Film Corporation. After 8 years, he resigned and formed the Frye Corporation, of which he was President and Chairman of the Board.
1946- Jack was awarded the Medal for Merit by President Truman for performing air transport service in WWII. The Italian government awarded him with the "Order of Grand Officer of the Crown of Italy," for assistance, and re-establishing air service, after the war.

1921-1922- Jack served in the United States Army Engineers.
1934- He was commissioned Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve.
1940- Promoted to Lt. Commander. Honorably discharged in 1952.
He was a member of the Army and Navy Club, California Club, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, and the Wings Club, in New York City.
1959- Jack Frye was killed in an auto accident, in Tucson Arizona, and was buried there.
1962- TWA dedicated an eight-story building in Kansas City, MO., for the training of pilots, flight engineers, and hostesses, as the- "Jack Frye International Training Center."
Ex-President Truman spoke.
Please note- Jack Frye was reinterred in Wheeler, TX., July 8, 1989, along side his brother, Don Frye, who was also an early pilot and aviation pioneer.

The photo to the left says it all, Jack Frye standing
in front of a Northrop Gamma in his Naval uniform, exuding complete confidence with his trademark cigar. The personification of a real aviation legend.

Jack served as a Lieutenant Commander A V (S) United States Naval Reserve from 1934, discharged in 1952. See this page.

To read the newest fascinating page with lost photos from this great man's personal collection click on:
"From Beyond The Grave."

"A Lonely Road in Arizona" is copyrighted and the exclusive property of the Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website. All content and photos on this page are copyrighted and the exclusive original property of the Sedona Helen Frye Website.

Jack Frye's death was front page news. Newspapers nation wide cleared space on their front pages to run the tragic story of his death. For further reading- please click here.

Click the following link, for a beautiful tribute that ran in Time Magazine, on February 16, 1959, entitled simply: "The Man Who Would Fly."

To read Jack's biography, see "The Man, The Legend."

The Sedona Legend Website is a compilation of copyrighted original work and historic materials presented for educational and entertainment purposes. The historic publicity materials displayed, do not generate income or profit. These historic materials are not considered my copyrighted original materials. These materials are displayed in regard to the United States “Fair Use Act.” I am happy to consider the removal of any material on this website which may hold a copyright. Please notify me by E-Mail with any claims.

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The Jack and Helen Frye Story