Kenneth Lyle Frazier

Born in Walla Walla to Lawrence G. and Elsie (Meiners) Frazier, Ken was raised on a cattle and farming ranch south of Walla Walla. He has always been involved with livestock and agricultural. He graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1961 where he was very active in FFA, started as guard for the Blue Devil’s football team and was Captain of the Wrestling Team. Ken attended college in Wyoming and in California, where he received his horse shoeing credentials. He worked with great shoeing mentors, Curtis Tarwater and Don Hemstrom and became a master in his field.

Ken was a member of the Presbyterian Church but was currently attending the Walla Walla Valley Cowboy Church. He met some wonderful people at the Sunday gatherings, where he loved getting up and talking about God and his experiences. He always had a poem to share. Ken was a devout Christian.

Ken married Judy (Curcio) Frazier, on December 12, 1965. They have one son, Troy. Troy and his wife, Maryanne, have three daughters. Ken and Judy have passed onto them their love for horses and rodeo. Ken was very proud of what his family has accomplished and always said, “I will provide them with the opportunity, so they can cultivate their skills,” and that they have. Troy and Maryanne have also raised four foster children and Ken was very proud of their accomplishments as well.

Ken loved sharing his family stories and new ventures with his daily breakfast group. “Cheers” had nothing on his group. Less than a week of his death, Ken was still driving to town for breakfast at Smith’s Restaurant where they so appreciated Ken that they quit charging him.

Ken was a Gold Card holder in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He competed at Rodeos in Calf Roping and Team Roping. He and his dad later become involved with cutting horses where they traveled together on the Cutting Circuit. Ken trained outside horses for several years. Ken was a shoer by trade, but in his later years decided to take up rawhide braiding. When he decided to do something, he became a driven man and at the time of his death was doing a lot of custom braiding work for his family and friends.

Ken was chute boss for the Walla Walla Frontier Days Rodeo for 27 years, a position he took great pride in. This year, he was inducted into the Walla Walla Frontier Days Cowboy Legends Hall of Fame. He was a past member of the Walla Walla Wagon Wheelers, Milton Freewater Pioneer Posse, Northwest Quarter Horse Association, Walla Walla Farmers Co-op, Northwest Grain Growers, Walla Walla County Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Assn.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Elsie Frazier. He is survived by his wife at home, Judy; his son, Troy and daughter-in-law, Maryanne; his 3 granddaughters, Courtney, Carley and Cloey Frazier; his foster grandchildren, Imena Gonzales, Josephine James, Moises Venegas and Caroline James; three great grandchildren, Preston Tate Frazier, Tristen Gonzales and Kaya-Mae Amiah James; his three brothers, Jerry Frazier and wife, Anne, from The Dalles, Ed Frazier and wife, Carol, from Nevada City, California, Joe Frazier and wife, Debbie, from Walla Walla. Ken loved and will be missed by numerous, sister-in laws, brother-in laws, nieces, nephews, friends, and his loyal friend, Maggie, the neighbor’s dog!

Viewing & visitation will be held Monday, November 19, 2012 from 1:00 to 7:00 pm at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. Burial will be 10:00 am Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens and a Celebration of life will be at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds at 11:00 am November 20, 2012. Memorials may be made in Ken’s name to Walla Walla Community Hospice, Walla Walla Community College Farrier Scholarship Fund, Walla Walla Valley Cowboy Church or the charity of choice through the funeral home.