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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REMEMBERING JOHN ROBERT FRAZIER
WHEREAS, World War II Veteran and treasured community leader John Frazier died on May 14, 2018 at the age of ninety-one. During his ninety-one years he dutifully served his country, his community, his family and his church leaving a profound and lasting impression on each; and
WHEREAS, John Robert Frazier was born May 1, 1927 in Abbeville, South Carolina. He was the second of seven children; and
WHEREAS, as a Sergeant, John Frazier served for more than three years during World War II in the 20th Air Force in Guam and 13th Air Force in the Philippines. He later joined the Veteran of Foreign Wars, William Snell Post 7186 in 1954. Throughout the years he held a number of leadership roles at the William Snell Post. He served as Post Commander and also as Post Adjutant for over thirty years. He will long be remembered at the VFW for his role in chairing the Snell Post 50th Anniversary in 1996; he tirelessly researched and memorialized the original founding members; and
WHEREAS, John Fraizer was a lifelong advocate of equality and justice. He was a member of the NAACP and was selected to be the Democratic Precinct Captain in the Second Ward of Evanston; and
WHEREAS, John Fraizer was a fixture at the Kenilworth Union Church. He worked as Superintendent of Building and Grounds full time for forty-two years and part-time for nine years prior to retiring in 1990; and
WHEREAS, John Frazier’s commitment and leadership were regularly recognized by the community and he received numerous honors. In 2013, he received the Interfaith Action Vision Keepers Award and in 2017, he also received the Forest E. Powell Foundation Award. In 2008, he received the Nathan Branch Award for Faith as a visionary exemplifying perseverance, self-control and brotherly kindness; and
WHEREAS, John Fraizer was a treasured member of the Second Baptist Church, which he joined in 1989. He was later ordained a Deacon of the church on April 9, 2006 and he spent a his time on behalf of the church he loved visiting the sick and those unable to travel to church, praying with them, serving communion and occasionally transporting them to doctor’s appointments. He was an active member of the Seniors Ministry, Marriage Ministry, Bible Study, Advent Bible Study and Community Bible Study. He acted as the official videographer for the Media Ministry for eight years; and
WHEREAS, John Frazier’s exceptional interpersonal skills made him a highly successful and charismatic leader. He joined the Foster Senior Club in July 2006. As President, he successfully doubled the club’s membership in two years. He helped organize numerous field trips and facilitated meetings that covered critical topics like healthcare, current events and Black History; and
WHEREAS, John Fraizer enjoyed reading, watching basketball, football, baseball and golf and he spent many joyful hours with his beloved great-grandchildren, Reina and Sianna; and
WHEREAS, John Frasier had a passion for travel, he was particularly inspired by his trip to the Holy Lands with a group from Kenilworth Union Church. Along with his devoted wife Jackie, he enjoyed travel throughout the United States and the Caribbean Islands; and
WHEREAS, the community has lost a great friend in John Frasier. He will be missed by scores but his loss will be felt most acutely by his beloved wife Jackie, who spent many happy years at his side, his children, his grand-children and his great-grandchildren along with his dear friends Gerri Sizemore, Martha Edwards and Elizabeth Cox; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the extraordinary life of John Robert Frazier, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable and innumerable contributions he has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of John Robert Frazier.
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