Friday, July 11, 2014

Absolutely Gospel Music Writer Dr. Donald Frazier Tragically Killed



Houston, TX (July 7, 2014) In the early morning hours of July 4th Dr. Donald Frazier was tragically shot and killed in a home invasion. Dr. Frazier was a renowned minister, counselor, writer, and Gospel music musician.
Ten years ago at a Music Festival held by AbsolutelyGospel.com, Donald Frazier performed as visitor to the event. His singing and piano playing were excellent, however what grabbed the attention of the late Susan Unthank, Editor In Chief of AGM, was the Biblical knowledge she grasped just talking with Dr. Frazier. After discussing it with her husband, Deon Unthank, they immediately asked Donald to start writing for them under the title of 'Gospel Nuggets'.
Deon Unthank, Publisher of AGM stated “Donald was gifted in so many areas and his writing was so profound that he has been one of our most read monthly articles. When my wife, Susan, passed away, Donald called me and counseled in the most traumatic time of my life. Since he had been through the same situation with the passing of his wife, I knew that his words were ones that I could trust. On a personal level, I will truly miss Donald. On a professional level losing his writing is a loss to our publication.”
Dr. Frazier's accomplishments are the long list that follows:
Served with The Trav’Lers Quartet, a professional Gospel quartet, from Greenville, SC as their manager and pianist for 3 years.
  • BMI writer since 1968 with 23 songs to his credit.
  • Served Mark V Recording Studio in Greenville, SC as Session Producer and National Sales Manager, 1967-1970.
  • Limited Partner in Sounding Board Recording Studio, Easley, SC (1978-81).
  • Recording artist with 7 singing and piano albums.
  • Served as fulltime representative for the Youth Department for denomination.
  • Appointed to the Board of Directors for the Fremont County, Colorado Planning Commission.
  • Chaplain, Colorado Wing, Civil Air Patrol.
  • Served as West Coast representative for Department of Publications for denomination.
  • Writer of articles for magazines, professional journals, newspapers and newsletters.
  • Traveled as an Evangelist, Singer, Musician and Seminar Teacher for over 20 years.
  • After receiving his PhD in 1980, Dr. Frazier opened “The Faith Clinic Counseling Center” in Easley, SC. There he offered Christ-centered Marriage, Personal, Psychological and  Spiritual Counseling receiving patient referrals from law enforcement agencies, mental health clinics, physicians and pastors.
  • Served in State and Local denominational positions of leadership.
  • Served four terms as South Carolina Assemblies of God District Presbyter (Board of Directors).
  • Served on the Program Committee for South Carolina District Councils, the Credentials Committee, an Judiciary Committee, and as Chairman of an Financial Accountability Committee.
  • Wrote the Job Description with our District Superintendent for the District Presbyters.
  • Over 18 years of successful pastoral ministry.
  • Opened Carolina Christian Academy, the only private Junior High School in SC (Rock Hill, 1984).
  • Instituted Hospital Chaplaincy Program for Columbia De Queen Hospital including the writing of the policies and procedures for recruitment and training.
  • Elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Sevier County Arkansas Ministerial Association.
  • Appointed to the Christian Education Board of the Arkansas District Council.
  • Respected Marriage and Family Specialist with 14 seminars taught at Heritage USA, Fort Mill, SC.
  • Member of The American Association of Christian Counselors.
  • Former Adjunct Counselor and Chaplain at Colorado State Penitentiary.
  • Voted by the inmates as a Lifetime Honorary Member of their Progresser’s Club, the first non-prisoner to receive this distinction.
  • Served as Uniformed Police Officer and Chaplain for City of Blacksburg, VA. Implemented the first Chaplaincy program in this town.
  • Served as Counseling Consultant and Uniformed Police Chaplain for City of Easley, SC.
  • Lifetime Honorary Member of Easley, SC Police Department. 
  • Numerous TV appearances, including PTL, TBN, Daystar and Dove Broadcasting telecasts. 
  • Founder and President of Atonement Ministries, Inc, Greenville, SC (1976)…. an evangelistic, missionary and media ministry reaching around the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • Produced and Hosted “Adventures in Faith”, a weekly, nationally syndicated TV program originating from the studios of WGGS-TV Greenville, SC.
  • President of AMI KingsWay Music Publishing ( BMI ).
  • Author of “Greek Nuggets from the Gospel Gold Mine” published 2007 by Tate Publishing Co.
  • His second book with Tate Publishing Company, “The Prodigal Spouse,” was released in August 2008.
  • Awarded “Certified Professional Photographer” degree in 1992 by the Professional Photographers of America, one of 1,500 in the United States.
  • Awarded “Lifetime Honorary Member” status by the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston, TX (2006); the sixth person in fifty-year history of the organization to be so honored.
  • Honorary Member of the  Katy, TX Police Officer’s Association.
  • Since November 2005, Frazier has served as a staff writer providing monthly articles for www.absolutelygospel.com, the largest Gospel Music website in the world receiving over 11 million hits per month.
  • On April 3,2008 offered Recording Contract by Tate Music Group
  • On May 5,2008 nominated to SC Hall of Fame, Music and Entertainment Division.
  • In July 2008, Awarded Honorary Doctor of Letters (Litt.D) by the Billy Graham Association affiliated institution, “American Bible Training Center”.
  • In July 2009, staff psychologist for The Hallmark Retirement Facility, Houston, Texas
  • In June 2010, appointed to the Board of Directors for Independent Christian Churches International
  • In July 2010, appointed to the Board of Directors for Community Bible College, La Porte, Texas
Jeremy Frazier commented “As I struggle to express how I feel at the senseless death of my father early this morning, I am reminded of the enormous impact he has had on this world. In his time as a minister, counselor, police officer, musician, author, husband and father he has touched so many lives. He will be missed by a great many people all over this country.”
Please pray for Dr. Frazier's wife and family.
Funeral Arrangements for Dr. Donald M. Frazier -
The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, in the chapel of Forest Park Westhiemer Funeral Home.
A Celebration Service honoring the life of Dr. Donald M. Frazier will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, also in the chapel of Forest Park Westhiemer Funeral Home. The interment will follow in the Forest Park Westhiemer Cemetery.

For information concerning floral arrangements contact Forest Park Westhiemer Funeral Home at 281-497-2330.

An additional Celebration Service will be held in Greenville, South Carolina at a later date. Details to follow.
The following links are news stories from the local Houston, TX papers:

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