Creed Fulton Frazier Iii

Creed Fulton Frazier III, 77, of Salem, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2013. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Rebecca Strutt Frazier; sister, Julie Frazier Frederick; children, Deborah Frazier Sklar and husband, Jonathan, Creed (Skip) Fulton Frazier IV and wife, Christie, Ruth Frazier Lehman and husband, Hans, Marion Frazier and husband, Ed, and Leigh Frazier Martin and husband, Dale; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Creed was born on February 14, 1936 to the late Creed Fulton Frazier II and Ruth Connor Frazier. He married Rebecca Jean Strutt, daughter of Clyde Marion Strutt and Grace Evelyn Hoyle, on January 31, 1959. Creed was a member of the USAFs Singing Sergeants, and a soloist in the Strolling Strings during the Kennedy administration and often performed for the President. He was Music Director for the National Navy Chapel in Washington, DC, and then served for 33 years as the Minister of Music for Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church in Vinton, VA. Creed directed and performed in many musical and dramatic presentations, continually bringing the joy of music to others. He was also a member of First United Methodist Church of Salem. Creed also directed the Roanoke Valley Chorus, the Vinton Choral Societys presentation of The Messiah, the Thursday Morning Music Club Womens Chorus, the United Methodist Churchs Great Day of Singing, and the Vinton Vintennial Chorus for Vintons 100th birthday. He appeared with the Arlington Opera Company, the Washington Opera Society, the American Light Opera Society, the Southwest Virginia Opera Society, and Panorama on WDBJ TV. He also performed in concerts in Carnegie Hall, Town Hall in New York City, Washington, DC, Japan, Philippines, Canada, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Creed spent 10 years teaching at William Fleming High School in Roanoke. He judged Bland scholarships, District and State school choir competitions, and the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festivals. He took numerous graduate and post-graduate courses at Catholic University, the University of Virginia, Radford University, and Shenandoah University. He was also a member of the Virginia Music Education, the American Guild of Organists, the Thursday Morning Music Club, and the Virginia Choral Society. In 1984, Creed received the Father of the Year Award for Youth Leadership from the Merchants Association of Roanoke Valley. Creed also led continual efforts to give back to his alma mater, Shenandoah University, by serving as Alumni President. In 1997, his efforts were recognized and rewarded with the Universitys Alumni Associations presentation of the prestigious Outstanding Career Achievement Award. Creed spent his life working in his community and giving back to others through music. His humor touched everyone around him with lasting results, and his love of family was always at the forefront of his life. Creeds life was full and he enhanced every heart he touched. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 30, 2013 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 11 a.m., also in the chapel. The Rev. Jeff Dorsey and the Rev. Bobby Pickle will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the music programs at First United Methodist Church in Salem, Thrasher United Methodist Church in Vinton, or Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. Online condolences to the family may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com. The Frazier family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home and Crematory in Salem, 540-389-5441.