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Obituary : Ervin Reuben Frazier Sr. |
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Ervin Reuben Frazier Sr.
1926 - 2008 Ervin Reuben Frazier, Sr., 82 of Oakland, CA. and formerly of Los Angeles, CA born and raised in New Orleans, LA passed away on August 5th, 2008 at the Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, CA. Ervin Sr. had been hospitalized for one week. Prior to his passing Ervin Sr. had an opportunity to speak with his children and wife and was in good spirits. Ervin Sr. was born February 26, 1926 to Edward Frazier and Charlotte Cottles in Gretna, LA (part of New Orleans) number 6 of 9 children (that lived to adulthood). Ervin Sr. served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II, most of his time spent in the Pacific as a MP. After returning from the War, he met and married Corine Collins of Baton Rouge, LA; she had been staying with his family and working in New Orleans during the War. They were married in Huntington Park, CA on August 9, 1948. This year was their 60th anniversary. For more than twenty years Ervin Sr. worked as a bridge maintenance lead (and supervisor). He began working for the State of California at the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, CA (L.A. harbor) and transferred to the Oakland Bay Bridge in 1978 as head of the maintenance special team. Ervin Sr. had a deep love for Church, Family, and friends. He will be remembered by many. Ervin Sr. worked at his father's side and was taught the skills of carpentry from his father, a master carpenter. Ervin Sr. wanted to be an architect, but even re-locating to California could not make that dream come true, but Ervin Sr. built a solid foundation for his family; one that helps to lift and protect his children, their progeny, and others that he has met along the way. Ervin Sr. loved the Dodgers, not only for their playing in Los Angeles, but for their social courage in Brooklyn. He was a master player of checkers, dominoes, cards, and scrabble. When playing his opponents always wondered how he knew what was in their hands. Ervin Sr. is survived by his wife Corine Collins Frazier, his sister Seolia Beamon, his daughters Veta Banks and Erverine Goodloe (m. Jonathan Goodloe), his son Ervin Jr. (m. Martha Marshall), his granddaughters: Cornecia Banks (m. Erwin Lewis), Denedria Banks, Caryn Frazier Hellman (m. Patrick Hellman); Grandsons: Jonathan Goodloe II (m. Moneak Dunklin), Reuben Johnson, Jamel Goodloe (m. Tamana Dhaliwal) , Euward Banks, Scott Frazier; Great grandchildren: Iyonnia Goodloe, Tahlaya Goodloe, Matthew Johnson, Nicole Lewis, Destiny Goodloe, Jonathan Goodloe III, Melana Goodloe, Eman Goodloe and one on the way. Ervin Sr. has hundreds of nieces, nephew, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Iowa, Virginia, Texas, Nevada, Maryland, and other states. Ervin's family would like to acknowledge his niece Sherryl Beamon, her son, Oscar Geter and her daughter, Rachel Jones who live in Oakland and have helped to continue the Frazier family traditions there. He was predeceased by his daughter Yvonne Johnson, grandson Michael Johnson, and his son-in-law Clarence Banks. Ervin Sr. had a true love of education, reading, and science. He started a science program with an Oakland elementary school, funded through MESA, his church and private contributions. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 1:00 PM at Brookins AME Church located at 2201 73rd Ave, Oakland, CA 94605 (510-568-8954). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his name to MESA: (University of California), 300 Lakeside Dr., 7th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612 510-987-9337 [www.ucop.edu/mesa]
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