Dr. Joe Walton Frazer

1953 - 2016

Dr. Joe Walton Frazer

Greensboro - Dr. Joe Walton Frazer, 63 passed away peacefully on Friday, December 16, 2016 in Greensboro with his family by his side. There will be a private memorial in Asheville, NC at a later time.

Joe was born on August 9, 1953 in Durham, NC to the late Dr. Joe W. Frazer, Jr. and Jeane Embrey Frazer. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Jill Boswell Frazer.

Growing up in Greensboro, Joe was a graduate of Grimsley High School, and then went on to graduate from Duke University, and Duke Medical School.

Joe was Board Certified in Emergency Room Medicine, and spent over 30 years working in an ER; first in Suffolk, VA, then in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and then in Asheville, NC at Memorial Mission Hospital, where Joe would serve as Medical Director for many years.

In addition to his career in the ER, Joe had the opportunity to serve as a doctor on several cruise ships over the years, and truly enjoyed this experience. Prior to his early retirement, Joe served as Medical Director at nursing homes in Black Mountain, and Canton, North Carolina.

Joe loved life and loved his family, and prior to his illness and Jill's death in 2014, they had many wonderful adventures together. Sadly, their time together was just too short.

Joe is survived by his children, Jean Frazer Higginbotham (Joe) of Phoenix, AZ; Jeffrey Walton Frazer, of Charlotte, NC; siblings, Lee Owen Frazer (Brenda) of High Point, NC; Kathleen Frazer Williams of West Jefferson, NC; Henry Vaughan Frazer (Beth) of Oriental, NC; Brenda Frazer Young (Kirby) of Greensboro, NC. Joe is also survived by Jill's family and several nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly.

Joe was one of the most well-read people you could ever imagine to meet, and he could carry on a conversation about most anything. Joe was passionate about great food, good movies, and excellent music, specifically Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead, as well as jazz and blues. These things gave Joe comfort and pleasure over the past few years, and he loved to share these passions with his family and friends. You couldn't just visit Joe at his home in Asheville, you had to have the full experience; listening to music, eating a great meal, enjoying conversation, and curling up to a good movie. Joe wanted to know what you were doing in life and he wanted to share his with you.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to "Joe's Team" in Asheville - Lisa, Roger, Rachel, Ryan and TJ - Joe loved you all and appreciated all that you did for him over the years.

Joe had moved back to Greensboro recently and was being cared for by the staff at Brighton Gardens and Wesley Long Hospital. The family is grateful for the care and attention that Joe was given during his time here.

Having resided in Asheville for over 27 years, Joe became quite knowledgeable and fond of the North Carolina mountains and loved the outdoors. With this in mind, memorial contributions may be sent to The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in Memory of Dr. Joe W. Frazer. www.brpfoundation.org, Asheville Office, 322 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

"Live the full life of the mind, exhilarated by new ideas, intoxicated by the Romance of the unusual." Ernest Hemingway

Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel is serving the Frazer Family. Online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.