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BORN
1937
DIED
2025
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Robert Fraley Obituary
"Coach" Fraley began his successful 65-year coaching career in the San Joaquin Valley at Riverdale Jr. High School, Laton High School, Lemoore High School, followed by a 28-year career at Fresno State University. Coach Fraley retired as head coach of the Track and Field Program at Fresno State in 2008. His career was marked by numerous honors, including conference coach of the year, induction into the Fresno County Hall of Fame, the US Track and Field Hall of Fame, and the USA Pole Vault Hall of Fame. He served a term as the president of the US Track and Field Coaches Association, and produced countless conference championships, multiple NCAA All-Americans, and four NCAA champions, including his son Doug, while at Fresno State. His dedication to the Valley and his love of Track and Field were evident when Bob agreed to coach and forgo his salary so the Track and Field program could continue. He was a volunteer coach post-retirement, at Clovis West HS and College of Sequoias. He personified, "if you love what you do you never work a day in your life". He was known for his innovation in the sport, creating a national Pole Vault Summit and the wildly popular Clovis Street Vault. He had an active leadership role in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program for years.
Bob Fraley was many things, including his larger-than-life character, his love of fishing, and family celebrations. He was a husband of 67 years, and survived by his lifelong partner and wife, Elaine Fraley of Fresno, CA. The father of three, to Tammi Fraley Groom of Los Angeles, CA, Jill Fraley Palacios (Robert) of Clovis, CA, and Doug Fraley (Erica) of Lolo, MT. He is a grandfather of five, to Melanie Hunter, Michelle Mohler, Janell Orender, Trevor Groom, and Kacy Groom. Great-grandfather of four. Brother to Dave Fraley, Gloria Turner, and Diane Medico.
At his request, graveside services, open to all, will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery 19811 S. Cedar Avenue in Laton, California on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow at Belmont Country Club in Fresno, CA.
Arrangements by Boice Funeral Home, Clovis, CA.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Fraley
Ed Jacoby
January 9, 2026
To the family of my long time friend Bob. You are all blessed for having such a man as Bob to love and inspire you during his time here on earth. Have peace in knowing he is a better place. My prayers and thoughts are with you. May the Lord bless you and keep you and shine his face upon you. Ed and Jean Jacoby.
John Virden
January 9, 2026
First time I met Coach Fraley was in 1968 I was setting up in the bleachers and he asked me if I wanted to try out for cross country and I asked him what was that, lol ! He took us the froshsoph team to a win in the valley championship in cross country in 1969 and many great memories and wins for the Lemoore tigers in track and field from 1968 to 1972. Prayers for the family for comfort and peace. He was a great Coach and mentor to many students and athletes. He will be missed
Bill Bilhou
January 8, 2026
Bob Fraley was our high school track coach in Lemoore, in the mid 1960s. He turned Lemoore High School into the meanest track team in the entire central valley. Nothing was more depressing than for the other teams to see our bus pull into the parking lot, because they knew they weren't going to win anything. My favorite coach ever! Gonna miss you Coach!
Karen "Balster" Cook
January 8, 2026
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Fraley's passing, my heartfelt condolences to Elaine, Tammy, Jill and Doug.
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Ron Rinehart
January 5, 2026
Wanted to express my condolences to the Fraley family. Also wanted to thank Miss Fraley, Tammy and Jill for the night we would come into your home and have spaghetti. I never fully understood at the time what those night were all about. Coach would feed us and share a message using a scripture or two. Last I realized that I was attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. I ran Cross Country for two year for Coach. I sorry to say I was to immature in high school to fully understand the impact he was trying to make on my life. Later, as I grew into adulthood, I began to have a greater understanding of the man. I am a teacher and a coach today as well as a Christian because of Coach. Backing a impact on the life's of others just like Coach. One of my favorite blessings happened when I became the Head Track and Cross Country Coach at Central High School in Fresno. I got to interact with Coach on a regular basis. He never missed the chance to tell me that I was doing a great job! To keep up the good work. He went out of his way to encourage me. Those moments will remain with me for every. Thank you Coach, for time and your belief in me!
Danella Barnes
January 5, 2026
My sincerest condolences to Bob´s Family. My dad and Bob taught at Lemoore High. Bob´s daughter, Jill, was one of my closest friends growing up. I pray your loving memories of Bob will bring you some measure of comfort during these difficult days.
Cathy Murray
January 5, 2026
Sending our sincere condolences to Tammi, Kacy, Trevor and Elaine. coach Farley was my husband Alan´s track coach in high school. He has very fond memories of him. My daughter Kylie and I were honored to meet him through Tammi and Kacy. he babysat (along with Elaine) the girls a few times when they were in elementary school. so sorry for your loss Tammi. Godspeed to all. With love Cathy, Kylie and Alan
Randy Sells
January 5, 2026
I enjoyed four years of running cross country and track under Coach Fraley, but a lifetime of great memories and friendship. Thank you, Coach and rest in peace.
Tom Batista
January 4, 2026
Best pole vault coach I ever had and he coached my son at Fresno State. My condolences to the family.
Terry Betterton
January 4, 2026
A man of foresight, dedication and kindness, Bob could have been Coach of the Year every year as well as Man of the Year. God blessed us all by putting Bob in our lives.
Leah Gill
January 4, 2026
Sincerest condolences to the family, especially Jill and Bob whom we tailgated with oh so many years ago...keeping all in my prayers...
Sandy Gortz
January 4, 2026
I first met Coach Fraley when I was a young teacher and coach out at the air base when we both taught summer school P.E. He was such a fine man, always willing to share his knowledge and advice. I learned so much about Track and Field from him. He had a lifelong positive influence on me, and I
will always be grateful to him.
Tina Davis Fernandes
January 4, 2026
Oh no! My heart feels so heavy for my coach who welcomed me like family. He recruited me late in the recruiting season, so he was my host and took me out to the movies and dinner all by himself. People gave us strange looks, but he just laughed it off and said it was fine. He led our team to a conference championship, where I earned my very first championship ring. I also owe a huge thank you to him and his wife for running a Christian club that has helped countless regular students and student athletes. They truly are heaven sent!
When I made the decision to coach, he embraced me in a whole new way. He kept teaching and guiding me through coaching and life in general. He is one of my greatest heroes! I am so grateful to God for placing him on my path. Without him, I can't honestly say I would have achieved the same level of success in life and my career. I have coached multiple conferences champions in the PAC 10/12 and the CCAA conference, Multiple NCAA National Champions, Olympians, and mostly importantly lead it through faith as he always said was the key to success. My heart is generally weak, and it grows even weaker when I think of his wife and family, whom he adores and talks about every time I see him. I'm really glad I had the chance to thank him for his support. I also want to express my gratitude to his family for sharing this incredible man we all know as coach! I will always honor his life in mine! Again, special thanks to the Fraley family.
Andrew Mounts
January 3, 2026
Good man that I first met many years ago in Lemoore growing up with Doug and living near his brother Dave. He was the real deal through and through. A blessing to countless people. God rest his soul.
JohnS. Hoogasian
January 3, 2026
My personal condolences to Mrs. Fraley and Doug and family on Bobs passing. I gained a tremendous amount knowledge in coaching pole vaulters from Coach Fraley as a member of National Pole vault committee and the annual pole vault summit. God bless, John Hoogasian
Teresa Guajardo
January 3, 2026
Today I pause to honor a man who shaped my life in ways that still echo in my heart.
I met him as a teenager, and from the very beginning, he was nothing but loving toward me-always kind, always welcoming, always steady. He helped shape my walk with Jesus, not through pressure or preaching, but through the way he lived, listened, and loved. His faith showed up in quiet consistency and genuine care.
He used to call me Tecil, and somehow hearing that name always made me feel seen and safe, like I belonged. He loved stories-telling them, listening to them-and most of them were wonderfully silly because he loved to laugh. That laughter filled rooms and softened moments. It was part of who he was.
What I will forever treasure is his unwavering support. He never hesitated to greet me, embrace me, or treat me as family. Love didn´t have conditions for him. It simply was.
I hold only fond memories with the Fraley family. I am grateful for every shared moment, every conversation, every laugh, and every example of grace I witnessed through them.
His life mattered. His love mattered. And the imprint he left on my faith, my heart, and my story will always remain.
Rest well, dear friend (Bopa). Thank you for loving me so well.
Tecil
Mark Rodriques
January 3, 2026
Coach Fraley was more than a coach to me, he was a mentor, roll model and at times like a Dad to me. My first time flying on a plane was with Coach. He took a group of us to Nashville for an AAU Track & Field Jr National meet. I think I was maybe 13 o14. We had flown through a terrible storm over the Midwest and the plane has hit really hard with turbulents. I didn´t know any better, and thought it was normal, It wasn´t til years later, according to Coach, he thought the plane was going to crash. He never showed it, kept his calm so we wouldn´t be scared. He be missed, but never forgotten! Rest in Peace Coach!
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