John Bernard Frazer, Jr., age 82 of Warren, Arkansas, passed away Friday, November 5, 2021, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born Thursday, February 2nd, 1939 in Little Rock. AR, a son of the late John Bernard Frazer, Sr., and Marion Meek Frazer.
Educated in the Warren Public Schools and Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) where he was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society, he graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, where he served as President of his class, he returned to Warren, AR as the second-generation owner and operator of the Frazer’s Funeral Home, he served as a director of Selected Funeral and Life Insurance Company and third-generation banker of the Warren Bank and Trust Company where he was Chairman of the Board.
For 12 years, John served as Mayor of Warren and played significant behind-the-scenes roles in statewide and national politics. His resolve was tested 3 months into his first term when a devastating tornado struck the town on Good Friday 1975. He immediately took action convincing Potlatch to rebuild the destroyed mill complex and lobbied the Arkansas Congressional delegation for millions of dollars in federal disaster relief in order to rebuild the city and save jobs.
During his three terms in office, John modernized the city government including the Police, Sanitation and Fire Departments as well as led the 278-bypass construction resulting in significant economic development. In 1975, John received the first Bradley County Citizen of the Year award, he was a Rotarian, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow recipient and demonstrated a life devoted to service.
John’s drive to make Warren and Bradley County a better place and raise a family dovetailed into his career. Outside Warren, John served as Chairman of the Arkansas State Burial Commission, Board Member for the Potlatch Educational Foundation, and a major supporter of the Donald W Reynolds YMCA. Above his commitments to the community, John enjoyed family fishing trips, duck and quail hunting but most of all, flying his airplane (N53Fox Trot), a passion he developed in his teenage years. He also was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church.
He is preceded in death by one son; John Bernard Frazer, III.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Maribeth Moore Frazer, sons Lewis Frazer (spouse Corinne) of Wellesley, MA. and Thomas Frazer (spouse Amanda) of Warren, AR. Grandchildren: Olivia Grace Frazer, Madeline Moore Frazer, Mastin Derby Frazer, Rivers Hope Frazer, Race Lee Frazer, Juliana Remphrey and Walker Heird.
A graveside service was held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 9th, at Oakland Cemetery. A memorial service was held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 9th, at the First Presbyterian Church in Warren with Bro. David Richey and Bro. Wayman Mann officiating. A reception followed in the fellowship hall. Active pallbearers were Deon Wolfe, Nick Mann, Herschel Tillman, Bo Hembree, Robert Green and Andrew Tolbert. Honorary pallbearers were Tad King, Sam Fullerton, Curtis Blankinship, Murry Claycomb, Rick Warner, Ricky Roper, Alan Savage, Jim Brazell, Courtney Crouch, Cliff Morgan, Earnest M. Johnson and Warren Bank & Trust Employees and Directors. All arrangements were by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Memorials preferred to the Donald W. Reynolds YMCA, 207 North Main Street, Warren, AR 71671. www.frazerfuneralhome.com
I am so sorry for your loss Thomas. You and your entire family are in my prayers. John was the mayor of Warren when I started my career in law enforcement with the Warren police department. He had always treated me with respect on every level. He always treated me as a equal. You have a father that you can always be proud of. We will see him again. God’s speed my friend.
Mike and Jo Paulus here, so sorry we won’t be able to come to the services tomorrow. We both have church duties on Tuesday. Our minister retired and we have not one, but two transitional ministers coming soon. Please accept our deepest condolences. ?