Jerry L. Frazier

Jerry L. Frazier, 72, a lifelong resident of Cleveland and Bradley County, departed this life on December 8, 2020. Jerry was born in Bradley County on July 29, 1948 to the late T.L. Frazier and Dorothy Sherlin Frazier. Jerry was a pillar and foundational member of the educational system in Bradley County. He held a Bachelor of Science degree from Lee University, with a major in Sociology; Master of Education degree from the University of Tennessee and had more than 45 post graduate hours from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Tech, and Appalachian Technical College. He spent 46 years in the educational area in numerous roles serving as the principal of Michigan Avenue Elementary for two years, Assistant Principal of Bradley Central High School for ten years, Bradley County School Superintendent for eight years from 1988-1996, Principal of Charleston School from 1996-1999, Principal of Tennessee Christian Preparatory School for two years. Jerry formally closed his educational career out serving as the Director of Crossroads Academy in Georgia. While he stopped as a full time educator, Jerry’s passion and drive for education did not cease. He was currently serving in his second term as the 7th District representative on the Bradley County School Board. During this first term he earned the Level 4 Board Member Designation by the Tennessee School Boards Association. Jerry once said, “I grew up attending schools in Cleveland and Bradley County, graduating from Bradley Central in 1966.” “There has never been a time in my adult life when I have not been passionate about kids, schools and teachers. As a Christian, I feel extremely indebted to God and to the Cleveland and Bradley County teachers who poured into my elementary and secondary education,” he continued. “Many of those teachers are my heroes.” During his lifetime Jerry has also worn many other hats. He was an accomplished sports official for more than twenty years with the TSSAA, the Amateur Softball Association and the Southern Christian Athletic Conference. He was a charter member of the National Indicator Fraternity in Oklahoma City as a result of umpiring numerous state, regional and national tournaments. In his free time, Jerry enjoyed playing golf, fishing with his son, Eddie, and he was deeply passionate about athletics, especially Bradley Central High School and the Tennessee Vols. Above all the accomplishments in his life, Jerry’s greatest joy was his family, especially his two granddaughters Halle and Addie, who were his pride and joy. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his mother and father, Jerry is preceded in death by one brother Stacy Frazier. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 52 years Tamera Frazier; son Eddie Frazier and wife Buffy and their children Halle and Addie; brothers Dr. Mikel Frazier and wife Kathy of Riceville, TN and Roger Frazier and wife Donna of Knoxville, TN; nieces and nephews: Heath Frazier (Staci), Ryne Frazier (Beth), Justin Frazier (Katie), Leah Hicks (Justin), Brandon Frazier (Tabitha), and Barrett Frazier (Jami). Jerry also leaves behind many cousins, extended family, and dear friends. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at 5:30pm on Friday December 11, 2020 at First Baptist Church Cleveland. The church will have a limited capacity of seats and masks will be required. Temperature checks will be performed at the door. His celebration of life will also be live streamed at www.companionfunerals.com. You are invited to share a message of comfort with the family at his online memorial listed above. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Frazier family with these arrangements.