Arthur Lee “Kate” Fritts, 85 of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at a Muskogee care center. He was born December 4, 1923 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to Henry Arvin & Gretchen (Calico) Fritts. He and his wife Lois made their home in and around Cherokee County for the most part, raising their family. Mr. Fritts was a member of Local 627 Union of Operating Engineers for over 30 years.

He worked as a crane and heavy equipment operator in fact he helped build most of the dams & hospitals in this area he also helped build the Tulsa Civic Center. He was so skilled at his work that folks were calling him after his retirement to assist in the construction of various buildings. He was a fifty year member of the Cherokee 10 Masonic Lodge and a forty-nine year member of the Tulsa Scottish rite. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Okay, Oklahoma. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing and restoring old cars. He was known as the friendly neighborhood handyman. He was truly a man that enjoyed life his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all that shared in his life.

 He was preceded in death by his parents and a son Frank Edward Fritts in 2001. Two brothers went on to be with the lord and they are Robert and Elmer Fritts. He is survived by his wife Lois Maxine (Anno) Fritts of Fort Gibson. One son, Michael Arthur Fritts & wife Jo Lynn of Sand Springs, Oklahoma is left to mourn his passing. A daughter, Linda Stark and husband Jerry of Tahlequah, Oklahoma will cherish his memory. He leaves two brothers, Preston Fritts and wife Pauline of Kadiz, Kentucky and Norwood Fritts and wife Betty of Valpariso, Indiana. Three sisters also survive him and they are Marie Aytes of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Mamie Raschke and husband Jim of Valpariso, Indiana and Shirley Watkins of Richardson, Texas. A daughter in-law, Sue Fritts of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma and a special niece, Shawn Aytes will miss him greatly. His legacy will live on in his nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

 A visitation for Mr. Fritts will be held Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Reed-Culver Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will take place Friday, November 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Okay, Oklahoma. Burial will follow in the Tahlequah City Cemetery in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.