Stephen Lloyd Frazier (76) was born in Turlock Ca on March 13, 1947, to Lloyd and Grace Frazier. He grew up in a typical post-WWII 1950s family playing baseball, joining Boy Scouts, church youth group, and mowing lawns, sometimes for fifty cents and sometimes because his dad told him to. There were many backyard barbeques with family, neighbors, and friends, and rustic old cabins to restore in Ben Lomond, where work and play became one.
Stephen was a high school football standout and played at Modesto Junior College and San Francisco State. His contagious smile earned him the title in his senior yearbook of “Cutest Smile.” He enjoyed being in the “Ports” car club too. His time at San Francisco State was in the days of S I Hayakawa, student protests, and the flower children…so when he graduated, he left the city life and moved to June Lake, where he was a ski instructor by day and managed a bar and restaurant business at night…the perfect life for a single guy with gusto for living!
He served on the Search and Rescue team and loved sharing one big rescue that was in Yosemite when they found and recovered “High Plains Drifter” film footage that had fallen down a cliff! Stephen enjoyed sports, tennis, football, skiing, sailing and of course golf. In 1974, he left June Lake, moving to Madera, where United Vintners/Heublein Wines hired him and quickly became Director of Packaging/Bottling.
In 1983, the entrepreneurial spirit bit Stephen, and he developed and opened Piccolo’s Pizza, a new concept at that time. He franchised Piccolo’s in 4 states and even negotiated a license with a Japanese company to take Piccolo’s to Japan. This endeavor, particularly the unique challenge of working internationally, was a highlight of his professional life. In 1998, he sold his Piccolo’s chain to Papa Murphy’s and became a franchisee with them.
Stephen was actively involved with the American Cancer Society, serving on the Board of Camp Search for the Rainbow and Sunshine Dreams and eagerly supporting Relay for Life. He actively founded the Madera Linkage Foundation, served as its President for years, and developed programs and funding sources for teachers. He served as President of Madera Coyote Boosters, worked in the Junior Achievement Program, established and sponsored the Student of the Month Program, and sponsored hordes of Little League and soccer teams.
His gardens were amazing. He enjoyed traveling with friends, and wine tasting was a fun hobby! Of all his accomplishments, what Stephen held most dearly was his family and friends. The annual family vacations were cherished even though finding a place for 12 was challenging. Pacific Grove became the beloved spot.
Stephen was the family patriarch and rock. He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Sally; his sons and daughters-in-law, Matt and Renae and Brett and Elizabeth; and his amazing and individually unique grandchildren, Wyatt, Hallie, Madison, Tyler, Emma, and Brooks; his sisters, Janice Schmidt and Patti Barnes, sister-in-law Susan Andersen and devoted nephews, cousins and so many dear friends.
Viewing will be at Jay’s Chapel on Friday, November 17, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Celebration of Life is at the Madera United Methodist Church on Sunset Avenue at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 18.
Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life Madera, 1545 River Park Dr., Ste 428, Sacramento 95815.
