James W. Fraser

James W. Fraser, Jr (Gray Hawk), 96, of Lexington, MA, passed away peacefully at home
with his loving family on September 6, 2025. Born in Charleston, SC on May 15, 1929, he
was the son of the late James W. Fraser Sr. and Gertrude Heins. Jim was the eldest brother
to the late Donald Fraser (Simone), the late Clark Fraser (Stella), and sister Trudy Pelligrini
(Ernesto,) of Indian Land, South Carolina.

Family meant everything to Jim. He was the devoted husband of Mary "Smoki" Rollins
Fraser. Together, they shared 67 years of marriage and raised their family in Lexington, MA.
In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his three daughters, Shawna Johnston (Brian) of
Lexington, MA, Ina (former spouse, Rick) Williams of Boylston, MA and Rena Maliszewski
(Jan) of Lexington, MA. Some of his greatest joy came from his grandchildren Ariana,
Bradley, Megan, Austin, Olivia and James and four great-grandchildren Izzy, Damien, Tyler
and Grace. He embraced Ken, Elisa, Nick (Jackie) and Allie Johnston as cherished family
members. The love he had for his nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws is everlasting.
Jim spent his early years in Charleston, SC before moving with his parents and siblings to
Hampton, Virginia for a portion of high school and his first 3 years of college. Prior to his
senior year in college, Jim became more interested in travel than remaining on campus and
decided to explore new places before completing his degree. He lived in Philadelphia, New
York and Cleveland, then joined the Merchant Marines, embarking on adventures to many
countries.

He loved sailing the open seas and discovering new places around the world but began to
wonder if it was time to return home after receiving a letter from his loving mother asking,
"Are you doing what you want to do for the rest of your life?"
Upon pondering her question, he enrolled in Virginia Union University where he earned his
BA degree in Sociology and met his soon-to-be wife, Smoki.
Jim spent his career in service to improve the lives of "the people" by developing
educational support programs and opportunities, job training and community support for
underserved populations. He worked with the Urban League in Warren, Ohio and
Washington, DC as Vocational Guidance Director, and as a Community Organizer for a pilot
project of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation of Health and Human Services.
Jim was born of Cherokee, Edisto and European descent. He devoted much of his life to
establishing and supporting Native American communities, youth programs and resources.
In 2016, he was the recipient of the Tomaquag Museum Lifetime Achievement Award for his
lifetime of work advocating for resources for Tribal Communities across many federal
programs including the US Department of Labor and the Federal Regional Task Force for
Indian Affairs and establishing the National Day of Mourning.

In 1970, Jim and his brother of the heart, Everett Tall Oak Weeden, founded the first
National Day of Mourning, along with Frank James, Shirley Mills, Gary (Corn Planter)
Parker and Rayleen Bay on Thanksgiving, November 26, 1970. The National Day of
Mourning is an annual event that continues to this day to raise awareness and provide
accurate truths about Native American history, the plight of Native people and to honor
Native people and acknowledge we are still here. Jim served as a consultant for the exhibit
dedicated to the "National Day of Mourning," at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the
American Indian exhibit in Washington, DC in 2020.

Jim had a 24-year federal career which included time with the Departments of Navy and
Labor. He was a key member of a group that worked with Massachusetts Gov. Francis
Sargent to establish the Massachusetts Commission For Indian Affairs. He represented the
eight US Department of Labor agencies on the Federal Regional Task Force For Indian
Affairs. As Director of the Office of Special Programs for Education and Training
Administration (ETA) and the Department of Labor, Jim negotiated grants and contracts with
New England tribes and organizations for the training of Native youth and adults.
Negotiations with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts resulted in the Boston Indian
Council (BIC) receiving a 99-year lease for the sole use of a building in Boston for one
dollar per year. The BIC occupied the building for ten years and is presently used by the
North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB) under the same agreement. For
decades, Jim's efforts to secure this building have helped to provide a meeting space,
programs, services and a cultural gathering place for Native people living in New England.
Additionally, Jim negotiated an agreement to make it possible for Native youth residing east
of the Mississippi River to attend Kicking Horse and Talking Leaves Job Corps Centers.
These centers were initially established by the US Department of Labor to train Native youth
who lived west of the Mississippi River. Jim's efforts helped open these centers to all Native
youth.

Jim received recognition in 1977 for outstanding achievement managing the federal Work
Incentive Program (WIN). The New England Federal Region ranked first place in the nation.
As Regional Director of Job Corps, he established centers in Connecticut, Massachusetts,
Maine and Vermont. He also provided training to the staff of the Rhode Island Indian
Council.

Outside of work, Jim was an avid motorcycle rider who enjoyed touring the open road on
two wheels for over 60 years. He rode as far as California for his 60th birthday on his BMW
R100RS. His most recent long distance ride was to Colorado on his BMW R1100RS
motorcycle at age 85! Over the years, Jim rode to many rallies on his vintage British
Velocettes, highly sought after collectors items that he had meticulously restored. Through
his riding, Jim developed many deep and meaningful friendships with fellow Velocette and
BMW enthusiasts. These friendships and his mechanical knowledge earned him the
nickname, Mr. Velo, in vintage British racing bike circles. His head-turning Velocettes

earned him awards and accolades in publications and at motorcycle meets. What mattered
most to him were the friendships he formed and conversations he shared with fellow rally
attendees and riders.

Though he took his work and hobbies seriously, he loved a good practical joke. He was
known to find delight in playing harmless tricks on friends and family as often as he could.
He was a quick wit, improvisational impressionist and good-hearted mischief maker. Jim
often laughed so hard that he cried when a joke was revealed. He could ride a bicycle
backwards and "shoot the duck" on roller skates- a joyful skill he learned as a teenager
while working as a sandwich server at a drive-in restaurant. Jim had a mastery of the yo-yo
and enjoyed jazz music. He always had a good supply of candy on hand and earned the
nickname Candyman. His love and laughter were second to none and he will be missed
from sun to sun.

VISITATION & SERVICE on Saturday, September 20, 2025:
Visiting hours from 12:30pm -1:45pm. Memorial service at 2pm
St. John's Korean UMC (former location of the Lexington United Methodist Church)
2600 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington MA 02421. Parking in rear.
Visiting hours will be held in the lower level atrium of St. John's Korean United Methodist
Church followed by a memorial service in the sanctuary upstairs.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's memory to the Tomaquag Museum at
https://www.tomaquagmuseum.org/donate or Hancock Congregational Church where the
family is currently members at https://hancockchurch.org/giving/