James Fry credited his fellow co-workers in the public works department for being voted Best City Employee in the Marble Falls area by The Picayune readers in the Locals Love Us contest two years in a row. Courtesy photo
MARBLE FALLS — At just 23 years old, James Fry believes he’s only as good as the people with whom he surrounds himself.
Fry, who is a public works operator with the city of Marble Falls, shared that life philosophy after being voted Best City Employee in the Marble Falls area in The Picayune’s Locals Love Us contest for the second year in a row.
“I’ve been working for the city for three years. I couldn’t do this without everybody I work with,” he said. “Marble Falls is a great city. I was born and raised here.
“I just want to thank the community for voting me in a second year in a row,” he added.
Fry’s humble spirit is only matched by his ability to evolve and learn from a task and move quickly into new roles.
After just three years working for the city, he was promoted from maintenance technician to his current duties as an operator in the streets department.
“I’m definitely a hands-on worker. I learn more when I’m hands-on,” Fry said. “We’re out in the community every day. We do jobs within the neighborhoods, and we interact with people.
“It makes me better as a person, seeing people and talking to them,” he added.
Fry’s position on city crews appears to to be forged in his DNA.
His grandfather, Tommy Fry, retired from the city after more than 30 years in the water department. His late uncle Wilmon Fry had worked for the city for more than 25 years in the streets department.
“It’s like a family tradition to work for the city,” he said.
As a 2013 Marble Falls High School graduate, he was well-known for his athleticism and commitment to team sports such as football.
His team-oriented mentality has guided him through his career choices.
Before his job with Marble Falls, he worked for an Austin-based utility company to lay the groundwork for his current and future goals.
“It helped me. It really prepared me to come work for the city,” he said. “What I want to do is build a future here, retire here, and to become a supervisor one day.”
Fry’s hobbies include golfing, hunting, and fishing.
His best moments involve spending time with his 3-year-old son, Bryson, and wife, Lindsey, who also won a Locals Love Us award for Best Bank Teller in the Marble Falls area.
connie@thepicayune.com
