Jerome "Jay" Frazier

Jerome "Jay" T. Frazier was born January 27, 1945, in Kingsport, Tennessee, born again, August 5, 1970, also in Kingsport, Tennessee, and went to be with Jesus, November 8, 2025, in Merritt Island, Florida, at the age of 80.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Dwain Frazier and Jessie Hamblin, a sister Patricia (Wootsie), and his brother Jimmy, all from Kingsport, Tennessee. Also preceded in death, are many pastors, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, including dear friends, Alan Moore, Jimmy Hensley, Don Whitlow, Neil Ladtkow and Lou Pollard.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Claudia, daughters Jessica Morrison and Jennifer Steiner, son-in-law's, Alan Morrison and Thomas Steiner. Jay was also a very proud "Grandpa" to Austin Steiner.

Jay was from Kingsport, Tennessee, where he went to school and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School. The child of a damaged and troublesome environment, he found a second family with the Duncans, whom he would later attest were instrumental in showing him the love of his future Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved Ethel Duncan and her family and remained close with her son Jerry Duncan and his family until the end.

While attending Eastern Tennessee State University he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, trained at Parris Island and served in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. During his tour he endured the horrors of battle and a life-threatening illness twice that ultimately ended his tour of duty. Honorably discharged, he returned home to Tennessee, only to see his best friend die in a tragic accident. Unable to sleep he visited Temple Baptist Church the following day and spoke with pastor William Pennell and the Lord gloriously saved him there. He became a bus captain, visitation director, youth director and assistant pastor at Temple Baptist, and was later able to attend Bible College due to the faithful support of his dear friends, Bill & Nancy Hamilton. It was there his childhood friend Frank Waldo would help him drive the church bus and later go on to also graciously support Jay throughout his entire ministry.

While serving at Temple Baptist he met Claudia Robinette, who was actively serving the church in multiple ways. They married and moved to Bristol, Tennessee, where they would serve at Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church for almost one year before God called him to Belleville, Michigan, to pastor Grace Baptist Church.

During that almost 13-year period, Jay and Claudia saw the birth of their two daughters who spent their childhood visiting nursing homes and walking the church hallways with their father. Jay made many friends and changed the lives of many families at Grace Baptist. The number of lives affected are so many, that naming only a few would be a great injustice to the countless others, not to mention lessen the sheer impact felt by all who knew him.

In 1987, Jay was called to Calvary Baptist Church in Cocoa, Florida, where he remained Pastor until death. Consistent to who he was, he affected a great multitude of families and bore witness to a large number of people saved under his ministry. The 38 years at Calvary saw many things occur in Jay and Claudia's lives. The joy of seeing the lost saved, the marriage of his daughters, the arrival of a grandson, making new friends seemingly on a daily basis, combined with the heartbreak of losing those he loved and cherished over 53 years of ministry.

Jay was an avid reader and enjoyed a myriad of different interests including wood carving, interior decorating, and had just picked up an interest in cooking. But He is most widely known for his joy of fishing and sharing that joy with others. Those who fished with him regularly found his bait catching skills greater than his sport fishing skills most of the time.

When getting to know him, a person would immediately know the love he had for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the desire to serve him. Jay was unique, a man filled with joy, who loved to tell jokes and laugh, share the gospel, defend America, and brag on his beloved Marine Corps. He was also a great and loving friend to pastors and missionaries alike. The last great care he had for the church was for widows and missionaries. He believed it was not only a part of the foundation, but the earmarks of, a Christ-loving church to love both. Jay Frazier was a pastor, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and a patriot. He will be missed, but those tears and pain will be assuaged by the knowledge that while not here, he will be seen again by so many he loved.

Services will be held Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church, 350 Fairmont Drive, Cocoa, Florida, with a viewing at noon and service at 1 p.m., followed by internment at Florida Memorial Gardens with full military honors.

In light of his love for missionaries, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Calvary Baptist Church designated for Missions.