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Deceased Name: Col. Howard W. Frazier. Ret.
JUne 14, 1920 ~ September 2, 2013
© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home
Submitted by: TD
Col. Howard W. Frazier, Ret., beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend left to walk with his Lord and Savior Sept 2, 2013 at the age of 93. He was born in Eufaula, OK on June 14, 1920.He is survived by Louise, his loving wife of 67 years, daughters Carrie Brendel and Nancy LaCaze and son Robert H. Frazier. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and six nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Professor and Mrs. R. W. Frazier and sisters Evelyn Self and Bobbie Gattis. He also lost his twin brother Herald at age 9.
Howard graduated from Durant High School in 1938 and joined the Durant National Guard when he was 18. After graduation he started college at Southeastern OK State University in Durant. During his first year of college the Oklahoma National Guard mobilized in preparation for WWII. The Guard became a part of the 45th Infantry Division. While on leave Howard met Louise. They dated for a short time and hence their long distance romance by mail began. The 45th Division was deployed to Europe. The troops fought in Sicily, Italy, Anzio, Southern France and Germany. They were dubbed "The Fighting 45th". After four years of deployment, Howard returned home and married Louise Belvin in 1946. He enrolled at SOSU where he completed his B.S. degree. Again, Howard joined the US Army Reserve and in 1950 was assigned to active duty for the Korean Conflict. Howard helped organize a replacement company. He was assigned Commander taking his troops to Japan then Korea to engage in battle. When the Korean Conflict came to an end, Howard returned home and again enrolled at SOSU to complete a Masters degree in business administration. His final assignment was to be Sr. Instructor of advanced R.O.T.C. at Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) in Stillwater. Soon after, Howard and Louise moved their 3 children to Ft. Worth, TX. where by Frazier, as usual, joined the US Army Reserve. Between wars and while serving in the Reserve, Howard managed to attend schools provided by the military. Army Auto Transportation, Fort Benning, GA; Advanced Infantry Officers Course, Fort Benning, GA; Command and General Staff School, Fort Levenworth, KS; Army Logistics Management School, Fort Lee, VA were among the schools he attended to better prepare himself as a soldier. During his military duty, Frazier was awarded numerous medals. The most significant was the Bronze Star. During the Korean Conflict Frazier's company was engaged in battle. Some of his troops were caught behind enemy lines and low on ammunition. Frazier strapped on as many rounds as he could carry, crawled through enemy lines to reinforce his men. This brave act of courage earned him the Bronze Star. In 1978 Col Frazier retired after forty years of devoted military service to his beloved country. While serving in the US Army Reserve Howard Frazier maintained a civilian career. He was employed as a buyer for General Dynamics Corporation and then by Bell Helicopter Textron, both in Ft. Worth, TX. In 1989 Howard and Louise retired from their jobs and moved "back home" to Durant. Since early manhood, Howard had a love for cattle and ranching. This move to Durant offered him the opportunity to pursue his intense interest. He purchased a herd of cattle, put them on his son's land, mended fences, chewed tobacco and roughed it for a few years. Realizing "ranching" took too much time from his golf game, Howard hung up his Stetson and replaced it with his Ben Hogan. Regardless of where he lived Howard was always active in his church as a deacon or an elder. He was president of the Men's Bible Class, active in the Meals-on-Wheels program, and a member of countless committees and organizations. He sported a 50 yr Shriner pin, a 50 yr Mason pin, a 50 yr Elks Club pin and of course was a proud "member" of the Durant Country Club where he parked his golf cart and clubs over these 50 years. His cart sits in the garage of a daughter where the tradition lives on.
Family Hour will be from 7-8:00 PM on Friday, September 6, 2013 at the Holmes Coffey Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma. A Funeral Service to honor his life will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 7, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church in Durant, Oklahoma with Rev. Ross Kirven and Rev. Ryan Frazier officiating. Internment will follow at the Highland Cemetery.
Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.
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