John A. Fraser, 102, formerly of Kent and Alliance, OH passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at the Crandall Medical Center in Sebring, OH.
He was born on April 28, 1918 in New York City, NY. John was adopted by Russel and Pearl (Driscoll) Fraser and was raised in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended Boardman High School, ultimately graduating from Youngstown South High School.
John served in the Army Air Corps during WWII where he completed 35 missions over Germany as a B-17 crew-member (nose gunner/bombardier) assigned to the 379th Heavy Bomb Group (Triangle K), stationed at Kimbolton, England. During those missions, John developed a strong camaraderie with his fellow crew-members and maintained a close relationship with them after the war. He attended many crew-member reunions throughout his life. John and his fellow crew-members were especially proud of the granite monument tribute, “One Mo Time,” in which their names are inscribed at the Eight Air Force Museum in Savannah, GA. It is believed that John was the last survivor among his B-17 flight crew.
John married Laura Hoppes on January 29, 1943 in Youngstown, OH and she preceded him in death on November 8, 2009.
Returning home after the war, they settled and raised their family in northeast Ohio, Cleveland and Kent, ultimately moving to Alliance in 1969. He worked as a salesman for American Greetings and Ideal Roller, a subsidiary of W.R. Grace for many years before retiring in 1983. John and Laura resided in Lake Placid, FL after retiring, where he enjoyed golf and fishing. They eventually moved to the senior living community of Copeland Oaks in Sebring, OH. He was a member of Union Avenue Methodist Church.
John is survived by his children, Catherine Ann (Robert) Woolf, Fremont, OH; David John Fraser, Ormond Beach, FL and Richard Lawrence (Donna) Fraser Alliance, OH; grandchildren, Wendy (Jim) Powell, Tim (Darcy) Woolf, Jennifer (Rob) Schule, Tiffany (John) Hambel, Jonathan (Kimberely) Fraser, Richard (Valerie) Fraser, Jay Fraser, Laura Fraser (Kyle) Long, and Ross Fraser along with seventeen great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Laura (Hoppes) Fraser and sister, Catherine Evans.
A graveside service will take place at a later date at Green Springs Cemetery in Green Springs, OH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Oaks Foundation, Life Care Fund care of Copeland Oaks 800 S. 15th St. Sebring, OH 44672.
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Christi
My deepest sympathy to all of you for your loss. He was such a vibrant and loving person! I will miss him greatly.
❤️
Christi Barret
Barry Congrove
So very sorry for your loss
Hareza Lorrie Jo
Our deepest condolences to the Fraser family.
May you always treasure the fondest of memories.
Brent and Lorrie
( friends of David )
Mike Chiabotti
My sincere condolences to the entire family for their loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to all and especially for the soul of John Fraser. He will be sorely missed by all! May he rest in peace.
Laura Borens
Rest In Peace UJ! I loved you and Aunt Laura very much. I still have the reply card you sent back from my wedding in 1986. YOU replied you would both be there with bells on, plus two Great Danes, 4 cats , and a bird. You were the best. Love, Laurie
Kim Geltz Higgins
Dear Mr. Fraser, what an amazing life you lived. May you rest in the peace in which you so deserve.
Love, Kim Geltz
Thinking of all the Frasers.
Arnold Gralnick
Dave, I read your dad’s story and it is truly amazing. You have much to be proud of, and sad for too. My sincerest condolences.
Arnie Gralnick
Kathy Middleton
I am so sorry for your loss. Send you all my love and hugs. Rich and Donna if you or your families need anything I am a phone call away. Prayers for comfort
Captain Gene and Maureen Schumacher
To Dave Fraser and family, please accept pur deepest sympathy in the loss of your Father! May he be at peace!
Jenny Hoover
My sincere sympathy. What an amazing life, may he rest in peace. I have no words to make it better. Your family is blessed with many wonderful memories. Keeping you in my prayers.
Jenny
Melanie Haddox
Dave,
Don and I have you in our thoughts — with sympathy for the loss of your father–whose life was long, but too short.
Melanie
Bonnie
David, you and your family are in my prayers. Your dad left an amazing legacy. Fly high, John Fraser!
Gone West!
Roger Luca
Dave,
Our condolences. I always enjoyed your folks and my what I contribution they made to our country. Truly a life well lived. Rest In Peace John and Laura.
Roger
Craig Graf
Dave and family
Our condolences to you and your family. Your father was always considerate of everyone he came in contact with and a great contrbutor to our society. God Bless.
Dolly
My deepest sympathy to John’s family. I met John at my place of employment. We talked alot of golf. He always made me smile. John was a good man. God Bless.
Mark Nadobny
Thank you for your service to our country. My late grandfather, Anthony M. Thomas also served with the 379th at Kimbolton as a Navigator. Completed 36 combat missions, mostly with “Stanley’s Stalwarts” (crew was shot down on Feb. 14, 1945 on a mission to Dresden … my grandfather had been assigned to a different crew for this mission) and also with “Miss Conduct”. I wonder if you two knew each other? You will be missed by many.
Jeffrey Batzel
Dave and family: My sincere condolences in the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers go out to all and especially for the soul of John Fraser, a true American hero and patriot who shall never be forgotten. He will be sorely missed by all! May the soul of John rest in peace and may God bless and keep his family.