David Lee Frazier

David Lee Frazier, 90, of Woodbury, Tennessee went on to his reward on October 8, 2026. He was born in Dickson, Tennessee to the late Clyde and Georgia Talbert Frazier. Also preceding him in death were his brother, John C. (Doris) Frazier; sisters, Della (Nile) Young and Mary Lou Harrington; grandson, David Frazier; and brother-in-law, Virgil Young.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce Gehring Frazier of Woodbury; children, Lottie (Danny) Rogers of Readyville, John (RaNae) Frazier of Woodbury, and Chuck Frazier of Woodbury; sister, Virginia Grace Young of Woodbury; brother-in-law, Jesse Harrington of Lebanon; eight grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at Woodbury Health and Rehabilitation for their exceptional care of David and for Joyce. You were a blessing, and they cannot thank you enough for going beyond your call of duty as healthcare providers and caregivers to become the friends in a difficult season.

David grew up in simpler times but lived to see the Nation he served change drastically. He came from a generation who recognized the value of working with your hands, and from a young age, his father taught him carpentry skills that served him the rest of his life. He came from a generation who knew life without God lacks purpose, and his parents instilled in him and his siblings a knowledge, love, and desire to be in line with God's will. He came from a generation who saw war and hardship as calls to action, and he didn't shirk his responsibility when the call came for him.

Graduating with the Class of 1955 from Dupont High School in Old Hickory, David didn't waste any time and went to work. Lockheed Martin quietly opened the door to opportunities, and though he left a portion of his finger behind there building C-130s, he took with him know-how and a spirit of adventure. Before the U.S. Air Force called and solidified that spirit, David managed to work in about 5 months of radio school in Atlanta, Georgia, but once they called, there was no turning back.

Diving headfirst into his military service, David committed himself to serving the Nation for 20 years. His brief education in radio communication and repair earned him a spot in the Communication Squadron as a Ground Radio Communication Technician. He familiarized himself with all aspects of the Crown Communications equipment, and when he was discharged honorably, he left the service as a Tech Sergeant. While those details did alter the trajectory of David's life, there was one opportunity that the Air Force gave him that made a greater impact.

It all started as a blind date when he was stationed at Ellsworth Air force Base in South Dakota. David made sure to have his best foot forward, stepping out with an Elvis Presley-look and captivating Joyce as a tall, dark, and handsome man. And if looks weren't going to work? He had an ace in the hole - he had a car. Lucky for him, his looks stunned Joyce, but his personality won her heart. They knew one another for about 6 months before they were married on September 20, 1962.

The young couple traveled from South Dakota to Indiana soon after, but that was far from the end of their travels. Over the years, David was stationed in Japan for 2 years, Italy for 2 years, the Philippines for over 2 years, Taiwan for 2 years, Thailand for 6 months, back in Italy another 2.5 years, and several other stations all over the world for shorter time periods. Joyce liked to joke that he took her around the world 5 times, but regardless of how many times it was, you knew they were traveling together.

Though they had many international travels, country music remained the soundtrack to their adventures. The music became all the more sweeter with each child they welcomed into the world. They wore out the 8-track on their adventures, and the kids became excellent back-up singers to Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, and especially, John Denver. You might only hear mumbling coming from their mouths for the verses of "Take Me Home, Country Roads," but get ready, because they could belt out the chorus.

After getting discharged from the Air Force, David and Joyce settled down and planted roots in Woodbury. Finding a church home was a top priority, and they found First United Methodist Church of Woodbury to be just the right fit. Now, this doesn't mean David settled down and never traveled. He still had that itch to go, and Joyce enjoyed trips to see her family. They spent 2 months of the summer out West. David would go help combine in South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, or North Dakota. Wherever he got called, he showed up and made sure to make more memories with his family.

It took those trips for David to realize that one of his post-retirement decisions wasn’t going to stick. In fact, it just needed to get memorably cut off. While in the military, the high-and-tight look was his only option. Wanting to change things up, David decided he wasn’t cutting his hair or shaving anymore. David let it get to the point that the community kids his own children’s age would holler “Wild Man” when he was out and about. Joyce’s mom brought an end to that on one of their trips to South Dakota when she wouldn’t let David come in the house until he cut his hair and shaved. David made the mistake of letting her do the cutting, and she hacked away with little concern for his flesh, except that it was clean. In the years to come, David only kept his signature mustache.

As their children finished school, got married, and started their own lives, David managed to keep their roots entangled with his. He didn't come to Woodbury empty-handed. He had his dad's carpentry tools and work bench in tow, and he helped build John's stairs and different sections of his house. Even though John accidentally nailed David's hand, not once, but twice, David kept showing up. It seemed David could build just about anything, and he helped family members over the years building shops, roofing, and with anything else they needed.

Yet, even with all his communication and carpentry skills, David's real desire was to be a truck driver. Somehow, he didn't get his fill with all his military adventures and family road trips. So, a whole new adventure got started. You'd think trucking would be a match made in heaven for David, but he got his fill of it quickly. He would push the pedal to the mat of his old green truck rushing along at a whopping max speed of 45 miles per hour.

Realizing trucking wasn't the right fit for him, David found his retirement gig working with Reams Duggin on small engine repair. "Gig" was probably the most fitting term for the arrangement because really, it was David's retirement play place. He worked for free, hung out, piddled, and supervised when he didn't want to work. To top it off, since he didn't have enough hours on the road, he got to head to Nashville every week.

Carpentry, planes, communications, farming, small engines, it was like David knew something about everything and enough of it to be dangerous. Now, whether he was wise or just well-experienced is up for debate in the Frazier family, but in everything David did, he did it with skill, care, and a sense of duty.

Just like his skillset, David was someone with many sides to his personality. He was kind and loved God, his family, and his neighbor. He was a hard worker but also didn't mind stepping back and letting someone else take the reins for their project. The thrill of seeing a plan come together led him to a supervisory role on many occasions in his later years, and the family thinks it is only right to put an extra emphasis on seeing. Though he was a communications specialist, David was private and quiet. If he felt like talking, he could talk your ear off, but he reserved his words for things that were important. He would whip out his guitar and sing a song, then put it up just as fast as he'd pulled it out.

David was tough, had thick skin, and was a provider to his core, but he also had a sense of humor and soft spot for his kids and grandkids. Chuck remembers the night his and John’s friend from Florida came to visit. In David’s animated retelling of a story about a kid having issues aiming, he smacked a corn cob to his forehead, astonishing the guest and giving everyone else a good laugh. In another of his pranks, he pretended to fall out walking Lottie down the aisle at her dress rehearsal just to pick at her. With each of his grandkids, he made sure to add to his series of "toothless wonder" photos. When they lost their front teeth, he'd pop out his and get someone to snap a picture. His legacy was one of laughter and love.

There was something special about his bond with each of his family members. David took time to be involved in all of their lives. Whether it was a silly hand gesture or an "I love you," David knew exactly what to do to bring a smile to his family's face and let them know he saw them as they were and loved them wholly. Those "I love you's" got even more special in his final days. When Joyce got sick and had to stay away for a few days, Lottie was able to steal a few of Joyce's for her own, but David made sure he got in one more to Joyce before he died.

You see, life didn't have to be exciting. David was content making his own. Life didn't have to give him anything. David had all he needed from God. Life didn't have to show him the world. David's world stayed by his side, roots intertwined. Life was not taken from him. David received life everlasting and is just waiting for his loved ones on the other side. Though their hearts grieve the loss, David left a treasure trove of memories to keep them smiling until they all can be together again.

Visitation will be held at First Methodist Church in Woodbury from 10 am to 2 pm on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Funeral services will follow on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 2 pm in the First Methodist Church chapel. Pastor David Lilley will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross or First United Methodist Church of Woodbury. Those wishing to donate can bring or mail their donations to Gentry-Smith Funeral Home. Please make checks payable to the organization to which you are donating.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com. Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story”