George Frazier
courtesy photo
George Frazier
POLSON — “No greater man on earth” is a phrase that has been used to describe our George “Loran” Frazier, who opened the gates to heaven July 5 at St. Joseph Medical Center following a courageous fight against cancer. Loran was 82 years of age, living in Polson with his wife, Marilyn, of 58 years.
George started his journey on earth on Aug. 20, 1934, in Dillon, the proud baby boy of George and Bertha Frazier. He embraced growing up on their ranch in Twin Bridges with his sisters, Mary Ellen (deceased) and Sandra Pfau (husband Ron). Twin Bridges High School basketball, track and football teams (state Championship 1953), saw at a young age what Loran was all about – exceptional, impactful, thoughtful, loving, humble, caring, fast, patient, kind, witty, and he could make clutch free throws.
After graduating from the University of Montana, Loran served a stint in the U.S. Army as a medic then he completed a master’s program at Western Montana College. He married Marilyn Bogut July 8, 1959, and started teaching and coaching in Malta, Montana, and Oroville, Washington, and then settled in Whitehall, Montana, before starting the Montana Migrant Children’s Education Program. Loran’s next challenge was serving as Assistant Director, then as the Director of the Vocational Technical Center in Helena/Great Falls. He then went on to serve as the Assistant Superintendent of Great Falls Public Schools and concluded his public service in education as the Executive Director for School Administrators of Montana. Additionally, he came out of retirement to serve as an education advisor in Governor Martz’s administration.
He enjoyed spending time golfing, hunting and fishing with his sons, seeing his grandkids, attending Griz football games, tending to his roses and singing in the church choir.
Loran is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons, Loran (wife Laurie) and Steve (fiancée Caren); sister, Sandi; grandsons, Eric, Grant (wife Grace), and Riley Frazier; granddaughter, Morgan Frazier (mother Caty Colberg); great-granddaughter, Brooke Frazier; brothers-in-law, Jack (wife Joni) and Don Bogut (wife Emily); nieces, Revae and Leigh Bostwick, Brenda Kitto, Brenda and Lisa Bogut, Angie Williamson; nephews, Scott and John Bogut and many close extended members of the family.
Memorial services will be on July 29 at Polson Community Church at 1 p.m. and on Aug. 5 at Twin Bridges Senior Center at 1 p.m.
Donations can be sent to: Team UP Montana, 502 West Spruce, Missoula, Montana, 59802, (406-327-3128).
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at: lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Arrangments are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson.
