John Allen Frair
1940 - 2019
John Allen Frair
1940 - 2019
Obituary
Guest Book
John Frair Obituary
Ravenna - John Allen Frair of Ravenna passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, March 17, 2019. He was born September 1, 1940 in Bonham to Don Edwin Frair and Juanita Loreta Donaldson Frair.
John began his career as a United Press International photographer state manager in Austin and New Orleans. He later became a Newsfilm photographer for KTRK -TV, Houston, TX, an Assistant Professor of Journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, Publisher/Editor for the Bonham Daily Favorite, Ladonia News, and Honey Grove Signal, and an Instructor in the Department of Journalism, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond OK.
He had a great love of photography and for news journalism, which allowed him to photograph and cover many historic events including the Kennedy Assassination and Warren Commission report, New Orleans Mafia, Civil Rights Movement, President Lyndon Johnson Secret Service and family, University of Texas Tower Shooting and Hurricane Camile. He also covered NASA Space Shots while living in Houston. He published a Photography Textbook, Effective Photography, while working at the University of Southern Mississippi. He organized and led college photography students on European adventures/studies for over 20 years, resulting in a vast collection of photographs that were exhibited at the Creative Arts Center in Bonham, Tx. He was also a pioneer leader for Forensic Science Photography while working in Mississippi. He provided briefs for the Pictorial History of Fannin County book. He returned to his home town after retirement and then relocated to Ravenna to help care for his beloved sister. He enjoyed cooking, reading and gardening. He visited her daily in the nursing home to reminisce and recall their younger days. He will be greatly missed by his family.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Don Edwin Frair & Juanita Donaldson Frair.
Surviving are his two daughters, Tammy Hartsock of Vermont and Terri Novinger of South Carolina; numerous grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Donnita Frair Goode; nieces and nephews, Carla Stanley, Chris Rattan, Blake Goode and Chad Goode, and numerous cousins
It was John's wish to be cremated, with no formal services held. Cremation arrangements under the care and direction of Wise Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.wisefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Creative Arts Center of Bonham, 200 W 5th St., Bonham, TX 75418 or the Fannin County Historical Commission, 1 N Center St. Bonham, TX 75418
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Vickey Bagley
March 12, 2025
What a great teacher and influence John Frair had on me through these long years, since learning photography in his classes in the 70s at Southern Miss. Even though it may be a film-less world these days, I still shoot in black and white in honor of him. I miss film but, I don't miss the darkroom. May God bless his family and friends!
Vickey Bagley
September 28, 2020
I have thought about Professor Frair many times over the years. He was a wonderful teacher, profound influence on me, and I can still hear his lectures in my head even though they were back in the 70s at USM.
David Bundy
June 5, 2019
John was a highly respected and very diligent photojournalism professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. I never had a class directly under him but I did lead one of his labs. I admired the way he taught and cared about his students. Still I think about him often.
John Cook
March 24, 2019
John and I became good friends during his time working at USM. I have many fond memories of him. My sincere condolences to the family.
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Jayna Fields
March 22, 2019
He was the one who taught me how to use a camera. I went one a study tour with him in 2001. He was a favorite teacher and will be missed.
Tim Isbell
March 22, 2019
I am saddened to hear about the passing of John Frair. He was one of my photography professors at the University of Southern Mississippi. During my senior year, Ed Wheeler was on sabbatical and Frair handled the photography curriculum. Frair and I had a good student/teacher relationship. Early in my photojournalism career, I would call Frair whenever I reached some sort of milestone. He would always have a funny story to share about him reaching a similar milestone in his career. It has been years since I've seen Frair but I always had fond memories of Frair and his recounting of his experiences. In the acknowledgement of my Mississippi Gulf Coast book, I mentioned John Frair and Ed Wheeler. I called both of my photography professors my "mentors and tormentors." I mean that with all the love in my heart. My condolences go out to John Frair's family and friends. RIP John Frair
Jerry Holt
March 22, 2019
I remember him well when I was student at USM, I always enjoyed him as an instructor. I wish the best for his family.
Carl Broome
March 22, 2019
John was very devoted to his craft and a great mentor to many. He was a good friend and will be missed.
Rosemary Maxwell
March 20, 2019
I am so very sorry for your loss. I worked for two different doctors where John was a patient and I absolutely adored and respected him. He would always stop to visit with me and could put a smile on my face, even on the worst day. John was a great human being and will be truly missed.
The Wise Funeral Home Family Bonham, TX
March 20, 2019
We present this guestbook to you with deepest compassion and with our sincerest expression of sympathy.
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219 West Sam Rayburn Drive P.O. Box 188, Bonham, TX 75418
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