Jay Frazier

(From Parker Mortuary)

Dr. Jay Jansen Frazier was born October 12, 1951 in Kirksville, MO to Martha Ann (Reynolds) and James Bernard Frazier and grew up in Moberly, MO, attending High School and Junior College there. He went on to graduate from the A. T. Still Kirksville College of Osteopathy, becoming a physician in 1977. 

He practiced in the Moberly area and then moved to Portland, Oregon where he and a partner established one of the first walk in convenience clinics in the United States. 

He then returned to Missouri and he and Dr. Glen Cooper opened the first convenience clinic in Columbia, MO, initially meeting opposition from the local physician groups. 

During this time, he and Dr. Cooper were approached by Sam Walton with a proposition for expanding their concept to a national level, but they declined, choosing direct patient contact over administrative occupations. Jay was dedicated to Family Medicine throughout his career. 

In the early 90’s he moved to Joplin to establish practice locally and served the Joplin, Carthage, and Carl Junction area. He was recruited by the VA Clinic in Parsons, KS and completed his career there in the Veterans Clinic from 2003 to 2018, serving his patients for 41 years.

In his younger years he enjoyed playing music and was a prominent guitarist and founding member of the local rock and roll band “Savage Rose” based in Moberly and Kirksville in the mid 1970’s. He collected music and enjoyed a wide variety of music. He loved antiques and the roaming through flea markets and antique stores for unique objects and beautiful things. He was very creative and loved to create beautiful spaces with the things he bought.

He also loved art and photographs and spent many hours in Cleo’s Frame Shop choosing the perfect matting and frames for his finds. He was a supporter and collector of works of art especially local artists.

He was a voracious reader and loved to frequent “Always Buying Books” and “Changing Hands Book Store”. Jay was a long-standing member of the Carl Junction Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite, and York Rite Lodges.

Jay was especially grateful for the long-time friendship and physician care from Dr. Michael Knapp with whom he consulted regarding difficult cases and general camaraderie; his staff Theresa and Judy, and his best friends Dennis and Vickie Hudson of Joplin and Rob MacLeod of Columbia. He loved many special people and they surely know who they are.

Jay is survived by his father, J.B. Frazier and brother Paul Frazier of Moberly, MO, his wife LuAnn Donovan Frazier of the home, and his God-daughter Amber M. Jones of Diamond, MO. He was so proud of Amber and loved her so very much.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of OMM, ATSU Development Office, Attn: Jennifer Bryant, 800 W Jefferson St, Kirksville, MO 63501.