Harold J. Fraser

MISSOULA - Harold J. Fraser - the J doesn't stand for anything - died on Monday, Jan. 10, 2011. He was born during a whooping cough epidemic June 7, 1942, in Billings, to Harold and Bernie Fraser. He survived to become the little brother tag-a-long to Tom and Sally.

Hal grew up in a neighborhood with lots of kids and parents who knew what those kids were up to. During those years, Hal learned his "sand pile" ethics: If anyone cries, everyone has to go home. Hal's innate care for people, his belief in service to others and his value to keep everyone happy was set in stone at an early age. He lived a lifetime path of caring for the well being of everyone - basically, the whole, wide world.

Perhaps his first job as a paperboy caused Hal to develop a habit of getting up very early to have time to read news of the community and the world. He shared this lifelong habit with his wife Sharee in daily quiet, private conversations about what he saw. His habit of community review, improvement and development served him well as a banker, first for Bank of America in California, and ultimately with First Security Bank in Missoula.

Simple and straight-on defined his approach to life. Tending to business deliberately and with respect to every project and person was his talent. He was a great listener who took the time to know other people's dreams. Hal was as enthusiastic about the successes of others as he was about old fashioned rock-n-roll; he loved them both. He often expressed great joy for those successes and the family delighted in discovering him celebrating alone, dancing to blasting music in the living room. His happiness was pervasive - he deserved his nickname of "Happy."

Hal's places were full of souvenirs of good times, arty remembrances of times passed in pleasure - toys, pens, awards, pictures. He loved his co-workers and the atmosphere at the bank. Despite his serious world of banking, Hal's office was a gathering place for business as well as a dreamscape of toys and gags.

At the University of Montana Hal first met and then married Sharee Reardon on Dec. 29, 1963, and they spent their early years together in "The Xs," as married student housing was known. He graduated a few years later, with lifelong ties to his brothers in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and to U of M.

A devoted alumnus, he spoke at the school of business, was an alumni mentor and held season football, basketball and Lady Griz tickets. Passionate about his town and campus, he directed the end of the Homecoming parade for more than 25 years and served as marshal, with Sharee, in 2002. For most of those years he hosted a huge Bloody Mary homecoming party in his front yard on University Avenue.

Hal was humble about his own achievements, but many others recognized his service. He was a recipient of many awards including the June Lubrecht Memorial Award, UM's Outstanding Alumni Award, The George Award, The Ray Rocene Award and The Montana Alumni Award. Sharee was Hal's partner in life and service. Together, they received UM's Grizzly Athletics Alumni Association Community Service Award in 2010.

Hal loved his fellow travelers and volunteers on committees and causes. He served on many boards, including the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, The Radio Reading Service for the Blind, WORD, the Board of Adjustment, Playball Missoula, and Missoula Children's Theater.

Most of all, he loved his family. He was with all of us, all the way.

Hal was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Tom; and mother-in-law Kay Reardon. He is survived by his wife, Sharee; son Joe and granddaughter Ceana of Seattle; son Jason of Savannah, Ga., daughter Kate of Seattle and his sister Sally Moskol of Big Sky and her children, Hal's niece and nephew, Nina and Jacob Moskol.

The Hal Fraser Community Leadership Scholarship has been created to benefit the University of Montana School of Business Administration. Donations in Hal's memory to that fund, Missoula Children's Theater or Playball Missoula, are appreciated. Scholarship donations should be directed to The University of Montana Foundation with a notation that it is in memory of Hal Fraser. Mail to The UM Foundation, PO Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807-7159.

Memorial services for Hal will be held on Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Missoula Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center, 3720 N. Reserve St., at 1 p.m., with reception to immediately follow. Garden City Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Hal loved baseball. His favorite lyrics were from John Fogerty's Center Field, "Put Me in Coach, I'm Ready to Play!"