Bruce Frazier

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Mr. Bruce Benjamin Frazier, 81, of Anderson, Missouri, departed this life on Saturday morning, November 6, 2021, in the comfort of his home after a recent battle with cancer.

Bruce was born in rural Ottawa County Oklahoma, on November 20, 1939. He was so small that his grannies nicknamed him “PeeWee” and he’s still called that by his Frazier kin. He was the second son of James J. and Ida Mae (Winan) Frazier. 

The family moved to Oregon in a converted school bus in the 1940’s. They eventually moved to Washington state. Bruce joined the Army at the age of seventeen and was stationed in Germany part of the time. He moved back to Oklahoma in 1962, to live with his grandma Cynthia south of Fairland. 

Bruce was introduced to his future wife, Kathy Chancellor in February of 1962, on a blind date. They were married on June 5, 1962. They lived in Miami, Oklahoma, for a few months while he worked for U.S. Metal Container. They moved to Fairland, Oklahoma, before their daughter Renee’ was born in 1963. 

In January of 1964, Bruce enlisted in the Navy, serving as a Hospital Corpsman. He was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier, Coral Sea and the “Tin Can” Elmer Montgomery. He had four tours in Vietnam. He was inducted into the Marine Corps for the first tour in Vietnam, as the Marines didn’t have their own medics. He was very proud to have served with the Marines. His son, Kevin, was born in Bremerton, Washington, in the hospital where Bruce was assigned in July of 1965. His second son, Dustin, was born in November of 1971 in Port Hueneme, California, while Bruce was assigned to the Sea Bees. 

Bruce retired as a Chief Hospital Corpsman in June of 1980 and the family moved to Anderson, Missouri. He worked many jobs after leaving the Navy. He drove a cement truck, a school bus, built chicken houses, worked at the hardware store in Anderson and Town & Country Supermarket, was employed by Sunbeam, worked security at American Family Homes and Napa Auto Parts. 

During this time, he also took some courses at Crowder College and served as a Reserve Deputy for McDonald County. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and shooting guns with his sons, grandsons and great-grandsons.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Kathy Frazier of the home; three children, Renee’ Bridges and husband, Gary, of Neosho, Kevin Frazier and wife, Michelle, of Anderson and Dustin Frazier also of Anderson; four grandsons; six step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Charles Frazier of Orofino, Idaho; and four nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Frank and Wilbourne Frazier.

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday evening, November 15, 2021, from 5-7:00 p.m. in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes. Private burial will take place at Sulphur Bend Cemetery near Fairland, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.