Douglass Henry Frazier, a quiet and deep-thinking man, departed this life on January 14, 2021 surrounded by family following a long illness. Doug was born on June 11, 1934 in Marion, VA and raised in Spotsylvania, VA.
He was predeceased by his parents, George Clark Frazier and Mary Gibson Frazier; siblings Margaret Frazier Orrock and George C. Frazier Jr.; and his first wife, Nancy Brown Frazier, joining them in their heavenly home. Doug is survived by his wife, Charleene Riva Frazier; his three daughters, Darlene Frazier Riddle (Bob), Angela Frazier Southern, and Marjorie Frazier Hogne (Johan); his four stepsons, Ed Koch (Matthew), Scott Koch (Jennifer), Steve Koch (Terri) and Geoff Koch (Dawn); and 18 grandchildren: Rob (Ashley), Shawn, Rosanna, Ashley, James, Amy (Mike), Lars, Anna, David, Rebekah, Haley, Geoffrey II, Ellen (Gabe), Caleb, Jeremiah, Juliana, Kyle, and Carly. He is also survived by his sisters, Jane Frazier Snead and Mary Ann Frazier Browne, and sister-in-law Ulrike Frazier.
Doug graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in forestry in 1956. Following graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Nancy, and began working for the Virginia Division of Forestry. In January 1957, he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Verdun, France for two years. Upon discharge, he returned to his forestry position in Charlottesville. During that time, he also earned a Master of Science in Entomology from Virginia Tech. In 1969, he moved to Northern Virginia and began managing multifamily housing in the metro D.C. area, retiring in 2000.
Through his church life, he met and married Charleene in 1982. He was active at both Mt. Olivet and Cherrydale UMC in Arlington, VA, and served in the Arlington Civitans who named him the 2005 Civitan of the Year. In 2006, Doug and Charleene moved to Lake Monticello; they joined Cunningham UMC where he remained an active member. He was known at the Lake for his bridge prowess and his work on the Investment Committee. In addition to his church and civic service, Doug was an avid reader, and enjoyed singing in the church choir and watching Virginia Tech sports. Over his life, he was involved in several ventures raising and selling Christmas trees. Recently, Doug was reunited with his love for forestry when he was taken to visit the restoration of the American chestnut at Lesesne State Forest. Despite compromised health, the visit encouraged him to focus on efforts to start a test site of American chestnuts at Pleasant Grove, Fluvanna County.
We extend grateful appreciation and our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Karen Starr; his team from Hospice of the Piedmont, Amy, Melanie, and Denise; and his caregivers, Renee and Melissa.
He will be buried in a private graveside service at Holly Memorial Gardens. When it is safe to gather, a memorial service will be held at Cunningham UMC. To receive information about the memorial service, you can register for updates at www.thackerbrothers.com/obituary/Douglass-Frazier.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Douglass’ memory to The American Chestnut Foundation: https://support.acf.org/donate/tributes or to Hospice of the Piedmont: https://hopva.org/donate-online-now.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Thacker Brothers Lake Monticello Funeral Home.
Family and friends may share memories and photos at www.thackerbrothers.com