FRAZIER, ARVEL G.
Arvel Gilmore Frazier, 90, died peacefully Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at the Henry Etta and Bruce Hinkle Hospice House. Although his physical heart failed, his mind and spirit remained strong and cheerful.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Second Reformed United Church of Christ by the Revs. Kelly Barefoot and Eric Lanier. The service will conclude with military rites by the Davidson County Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church parlor. His cremains will be placed in the mausoleum at Forest Hill Memorial Park in a private service.
Arvel was born Aug. 31, 1924, in Lexington to Oliver Franklin Frazier and Artie May Everhart Frazier, their fourth of seven children. After graduating from Lexington High School in 1942, he moved to Baltimore, Md., and worked in an aircraft factory until he was old enough to enlist in the military. As a Navy corpsman, trained to provide medical aid on the battlefield, he was attached to the Sixth Marine Division and participated in amphibious landings in the Pacific theater until wounded in battle in Okinawa on April 4, 1945.
After discharge from the service in 1946, he returned to Lexington, and in 1948, purchased Lexington Book & Stationery, which he operated for four decades. In 1951, he married the love of his life, Isabel Essick, who later joined him in the business to open Frazier’s Hallmark Shop. After retiring in 1986, he enjoyed 16 more years of association with the family business that he loved, helping his son and daughter-in-law continue its management.
A lifelong member of his church, he had served as a deacon, elder and caregiver and was an enthusiastic member of the Sco Burkhart Class, the Men’s Brotherhood and the Young at Heart Club. He was the oldest active charter member of the Central Carolina Civitan Club and a past officer and Civitan of the Year. A proud veteran, he was a charter member and past officer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart N.C. Chapter 638 and a member of American Legion Post 8 and VFW Post 3074. He delivered Meals on Wheels until he was in his mid-80s. He enjoyed reading histories and biographies, working jigsaw puzzles and discussing every subject under the sun.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, William, Clarence and Bryce; and two sisters, Vera Walden and Myrtice Osborne.
Surviving are his wife, Isabel; daughter Diane Frazier of Pittsboro; son Eric Frazier and wife Margie of Kernersville; granddaughter Carolyn Frazier and fiance Lukas Barry of Raleigh; grandson Will Frazier of Nashville, Tenn.; sister Hilda Evans and husband Ralph of Winston-Salem; sisters-in-law Barbara Frazier of Greensboro and Ruth Essick of Lexington; brother-in-law Charles Essick and wife Wanda of Lexington; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend its appreciation to the nurses and physicians at High Point Regional Hospital Cardiac Care Unit and the Hinkle Hospice House, whose compassionate care he praised repeatedly.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Reformed United Church of Christ.
Davidson Funeral Home is assisting the family.