Beverly Jo Fritz

Beverly Jo Fritz was a life-long resident of Yuma Colorado and never moved from the farm she grew up on.  On May 30th, 2019 she passed away in the comfort of her own home at the age of 73.

Beverly was born November 22nd 1945 right here in Yuma to the proud parents of Ora Richardson and Esther May (Watson) Richardson. Beverly grew up working on the farm taking care of the cattle and the pigs for years but her favorite were the horses.  Beverly's father Ora had race horses so she got the opportunity to help break and ride them which she loved and it was better for her to be outdoors then in doing girl things. But sadly Ora passed away in 1962 and it was her and Esther, Ora's parents and Donna

In 1963 she graduated Yuma High School.  She worked at the "Yuma Cafe", better known as the "Smorgasbord".

There she met the love of her life Terry Fritz and on June 4th 1969 in Akron, Colorado they were married. 

Beverly always knew her true calling was to be a dog breeder and to raise dogs.  So with that idea and dream "Jo's Kennel" was born.  She raised and bred several breeds of dogs from Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers all the way up to Irish Wolfhounds and Mastiffs, plus raised 4 children with Terry while he was running his own business . Beverly was very passionate about her business as she was a member of the Colorado Breeders Association serving as an officer and advocating for breeders rights for many many years. She even went to Denver to protest.  

Beverly was an avid antique collector as well as a collector of dog figurines.  Going to auctions at Shaffners and many other places was a real love of hers.

Beverly loved animals of all kinds. She had at one time or another a monkey, hedgehog, parrott, pot belly pigs, guinea pigs, chickens, geese, emu, horses, cats, dogs, and who knows what else.  

She worked hard, played hard, and loved her friends and family fiercely.  She loved playing in her flower/fairy garden outside the house. She loved going to green houses like Edwards and could spend hours looking over flowers, succulents, air plants, and cactuses.

She could bring a plant that most of us would have thought should go to the trash back to life and make it look beautiful.  Her love of cactuses could bring some to tears. Sage can elaborate on that and her huge barrel cactus and several other very pokey cacti scattered all over. Beverly also had the love of Diet Pepsi and daytime soap operas. She she kept up on "Days" and The Young and the Restless to name a few. If you missed a day or an episode she could catch you up.

She had many loves but the most important was her family. She loved having the grandkids around to share all of her cute little sayings and her knowledge of animals.

She had nicknames for some loved ones such as Mikey, Lula Bell, Roozie, Shakey, and Patunia just to name a few. Y'all all know who you are! 

Beverly was an amazing lady and will be missed deeply.

Beverly survivors include her husband Terry Fritz, children: Greg and wife Misty Fritz of Centennial, Co, Jeff Fritz of Lakewood Co, Sage and wife Sheila Fritz of Yuma, Ashley Fritz and significant other Max Bentley also of Yuma.

Grandchildren Stacia and Kailey Fritz, Angel Josh-Fritz and ShayLynn Fritz, Ximena (Bentley), Anna (Bentley), and Paizley Fritz-Bentley also known as Petunia. Grammy B's nickname for her.  Along with several nieces, nephews, and their families from Donna Woods' side, plus cousins from all sides, and several lifelong friends. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Ora and Esther Richardson and sister Donna (Richardson) Wood.

Beverly's Memorial is being held June 7th at 2 p.m. in the Yuma Cemetery. Officiating ministers are nephews Jerry Littrell and Michael long.

Memorial contributions can be mailed to:

Terry Fritz or The Fritz Family, 8616 County Road 42, Yuma Colorado 80759

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