Richard (Rick) Allen Frazier, 72, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2024, with his family by his side in Tampa, FL. Born on June 7, 1952, in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of 4 children to Earle and Lois (née Collier) Frazier. The family headed south when he was just 2 years old to St. Petersburg, FL, where he graduated from Dixie Hollins High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. Rick moved “north” to Tallahassee to complete his undergraduate degree in Sociology at Florida State University, where he would develop a lifelong passion and loyalty for the Seminoles.
In 1973, Rick met Sue, and after just 5 months of dating, they decided to marry. Rick graduated from FSU on June 9th and with his many family members there to celebrate that milestone, he and Sue hosted a backyard wedding in jeans and t-shirts, true to their hippie lifestyle. Rick and Sue relocated to St. Petersburg and a few years later welcomed their son, Adam. With an infant in tow, 2 dogs and a gaggle of kitties, the Fraziers moved to Waynesville, North Carolina where a year later welcomed their daughter, Laura, to complete the family of 4. In 1989, they returned to Tallahassee, where they continued to raise their children. Rick would return to Florida State to complete his Master of Science in Adult Education in 2000.
Throughout his life, Rick was dedicated to improving the lives of others and made it his life’s work to do so. He tirelessly worked in the field of social work and later workforce development. He believed that everyone should have the opportunity to seek a better life, an education and a career or profession that lifted not only the individual up, but also the family of those he sought to help. Rick worked for Haywood Community College in Waynesville, NC, Leon County Board of County Commissioners, and spent 23 years at Tallahassee Community College (TCC), where he retired as a Director of Workforce Development in 2019. Rick was esteemed by colleagues and employees and in recognition of his many contributions was inducted into the Tallahassee Community College Hall of Fame in 2019.
After retirement, Rick parlayed his extensive knowledge and years of experience to open not one, but two, consulting firms specializing in grant writing, especially those aimed at developing alternative education programs for many entities, including the Florida prison system. His love of FSU extended to all seasons and sports and you wouldn’t have been hard pressed to find him at a basketball game in the winter, baseball in the spring, and then of course football in the fall. He passed down his love and loyalty of Florida State to his children, and anyone who knew Rick knew he’d have an opinion on what his beloved Noles were doing either in success or failure. He enjoyed camping, the outdoors, gardening, a great music concert and spending time with friends and family.
Rick will be remembered as a kind, funny, life-loving person who despite having one of the biggest hearts, was also the most stubborn person one could ever hope to meet. Rick, the consummate charmer, never met a stranger and he welcomed everyone with open arms and an open heart. Rick’s love of friends and family is his remaining legacy for so many people had the honor to meet him, know him and love him.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Joe Tebo of Franklin, NC and Earle Frazier of Pittsburgh, PA and brother-in-law, Roy Hern of St. Petersburg, FL.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue Frazier; son, Adam Frazier of Tallahassee, FL; daughter, Laura Frazier-Sever and son-in-law, Jon Sever of Lakeland, FL; his brothers Sandy Frazier (wife Elizabeth) of Franklin, NC, Gary Frazier (wife Sheila) of Clemmons, NC, and sister Beth Hern of St. Petersburg, FL; his brother-in-law, Robert Schreck (wife Barrie) of Richmond, VA; 13 nieces and nephews, 36 great-nieces and nephews; 7 great-great nieces and nephews; along with many cousins and extended family members.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, at the FSU Alumni Center Ballroom, 1030 W Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Rick’s name to one of his favorite charities: Save The Children, The Humane Society or The Salvation Army.
Rick’s family and friends will forever cherish his memory and the impact he had on their lives.