Jeffrey Marshall Frazer

Jeffrey Marshall Frazer: 11/17/1955-1/17/2020:

Jeff was born in Richmond, Indiana, one of 8 children. He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a degree in English; and then he joined the Army, becoming an Airborne Ranger. He completed more than 100 jumps from perfectly good airplanes and somehow lived to tell the tale, eventually becoming a jumpmaster at Fort Benning. He served from 1978-1986 before rejoining civilian life. Jeff had a variety of talents that he put to work serving as a counselor, child advocate, writer, and realtor. His patriotism ran deep; and he enjoyed serving on the Department of Homeland Security committee and talking politics with anyone who would engage.

The man, the myth, the legend. Jeff was a larger-than-life guy, who adored his nine daughters and who was always quick with a terribly-good dad joke or pun and an offering of a prune that he seemingly made appear from nowhere at any given moment. Jeff loved to tell stories, and you could always be sure at least 50% of every story was true…you just never knew which 50%. He truly was a “big fish” who passed on his love for laughter, practical jokes, extended conversations, fishing, singing to his family, and super cool in-car dance moves. Without his influence, his daughters might never have known the message behind so many classic tunes and would be several $2 bills shorter without their Jeopardy trivia winnings. Jeff’s magical pockets were always weighed down with newspaper and magazine clippings he was quick to share and discuss over the slightly melted chocolate coins he would simultaneously pull from his pocket. He always said he was most happy when surrounded by the crazy hullabaloo of his family, though this may not truly have been the case when the noise level drowned out the announcers’ voices on TV while watching his beloved Green Bay Packers. Jeff took his job as a dad very seriously, doing everything from serving as a coach for innumerable sports teams for his daughters to planning elaborate surprise trips and treasure-hunting schemes to share his love for adventure. He had the infant football carry mastered and could make his girls feel so loved, safe, and supported even when flinging them into the air only to be caught at what was surely the last possible moment before personal injury. His beautiful self-taught calligraphy and stashing of Christmas presents throughout the house year-round will be greatly missed by his family.

Jeff’s spirit is carried on by his wife Meg (whom he always referred to as “Bear” and with whom he enjoyed 31 wonderful years of marriage) and nine children and one grandaughter whose photos and accomplishments he loved to share with all prospective friends and clerks in every checkout line: Christine (Dan), Michelle (Isaac), Amy (Scott) Grimes, Sally, Katie (Justin), Julia, Natalie, Elizabeth, and Jessica, one granddaughter Ava and another little lady on the way. He also leaves behind his siblings: Darlene, Pamela [Ed], Teresa, James [Sherry], Stephen, and Carole. Jeff is reunited with his brother Ronnie, mother Althea Lewesa, in-laws Henry and Dorothy Nolting, and his good buddy Kevin Altman. We know they are happily catching up in Heaven. Friends and family can say their goodbyes and visit with Jeff’s family at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel on Thursday, January 23rd, from 4 to 8 pm. Dress with a splash of Hawaiian shirt (a go-to daily uniform for Jeff) if so inclined. The funeral service will be celebrated at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis on Friday January 24th with visitation hour starting at 12 pm, funeral service at 1 pm, and followed by burial at Crown Hill cemetery in Indianapolis. In Jeff’s memory, donations may be made to Community Hospital Foundation, Indianapolis, Oncology Patient Assistance Program or Wounded Warriors Project. The family would like to graciously thank Community Hospital North, especially the oncology team, for the wonderful care and kindness.

Jeff always embodied a person whose zest for life energized those around him and made each person with whom he came in contact feel special. His charisma, sense of humor and allure were exceptional and extraordinary. Though complicated and complex at times, he ultimately had a way with people that drew friends and strangers near to him within minutes, making his wife and children extremely proud. His legacy was to listen to others; he felt as though the art of listening was fading away; and he wanted his girls to be a part of the charge to keep that art alive. He taught his girls that there was no greater mission in life than to always be there to support loved ones in both good times and bad. So Dad, from your family and friends, who love you beyond words and will remember you always, until we meet again, “Roger that, ranger, and Godspeed.”