Thomas Lee Frazer

Thomas (Tommy) L. Frazer, born July 5, 1945, a native of Algiers and resident of Baton Rouge since age 10, died peacefully on July 4, 2012 following lengthy illness with prostate and bladder cancer. Visitation will be at St. James Episcopal Church, 205 North Fourth Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saturday July 7 from 10 am until Episcopal services at 12:00 pm. Reception will follow inurnment at St. James Episcopal Church Parish Hall. Survived by his wife of 45 years, Lynnette Bennett Frazer; son Shawn L. Frazer and wife Rachel Eglin Frazer of Baton Rouge, daughter Ashley Frazer Sides and husband Brett Michael Sides of Baton Rouge, LA, son Mark C. Frazer and wife Sloane of Marietta, GA; four granddaughters, Caroline Sides, Emily Frazer, Julia Frazer, and Ashton Frazer; four grandsons, John T. Sides, Jackson Sides, Grant Sides, and Reid Lee Frazer; mother, Edith Mackey Frazer of Baton Rouge, LA. Tommy was preceded in death by his father, Walter L. Frazer, Jr. Extraordinary business acumen, astounding intellect, unwavering loyalty, inordinate compassion, and, despite himself and his accomplishments, refreshing, uncanny humility. Thomas Lee Frazer was a man of such character that he cannot be properly described by any clever combination of words. As a father he showed his kids the unfathomable grace of God. As a husband he consistently acted as the glue that reinforced his bond to his wife. As a friend he embraced as if no line between family and friends existed. As a human being he showed a compassion that transcended time in its blindness to color, education, lifestyle and religion. His true loves were his wife and family. They meant everything to him. He was extremely proud of the way his children and their spouses were raising his grandchildren in a Christian, caring and responsible manner. All knew he felt his grandchildren were the best. This was mutual as he was adored and treasured by his family. He never missed a soccer game, play, swim meet or any event that his grandchildren were involved in and was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement to them. The character he exuded with his family carried over into his professional life and friendships. With an endless hunger for knowledge, he never stopped reading, exploring, talking and listening. He had the intellect and wisdom to see the world through a lens that can overwhelm most. He had the perspective to see the importance of individuals and their unique value. He had the fortitude to shoulder all of this while still taking the time to wrestle with his sons, scratch his daughter's back, and dance with his wife ... Always maintaining a smile on his face. If we are lucky, at some point in our lives we will experience something, witness something, or meet someone that will defy our every effort to explain. These transcendental moments, breathtaking scenes, and extraordinary people are the gifts from God that show us His power, His justice, and His love. Like a gravitational force that cannot be seen but whose effects are felt by all, Thomas Lee Frazer lived a life of such profound impact it can never be put into words but is felt by those who knew him and many who did not. The following is an attempt to capture a snapshot of Thomas Lee Frazer's extraordinary life. It is staggering in scope and yet this description still pales in comparison to the real impact he had on this world. He, quite literally, saved lives and changed our world. While irreplaceable and unique, we can only hope that the void left by his departure is filled by an equally powerful force with comparable business acumen, intellect, loyalty, compassion, and humility. Tommy was founder and partner in Frazer and Persac, a CPA firm specializing in tax and financial consulting services since 1980. Expertise in solving complex business issues, tax questions and financial planning was his trademark. In addition to work with that firm he was engaged in numerous other businesses throughout his career. At the time of his death he served as a director of Trace Security, a software and services firm and Til-Tech Aquaculture, an aquaculture firm also engaged in construction of fiberglass tanks and filters. He previously served as the chairman and was the largest individual shareholder of Fifth Generation Systems, Inc., a software firm which grew to over 200 employees at the time of its sale to Symantec Corporation. He also served as a director and Vice-President of Helix Biomedix, a publically traded biotechnology firm. Tommy began his career after college as an officer in the U.S. Army serving on active duty in Landstuhl, Germany and later in the U.S. Army Reserves leaving with the rank of Captain. He began work with KPMG in 1971 and left that firm as a manager in the tax department before accepting a position as a controller and secretary of Harold Faust Company, Inc. He worked there until founding his accounting firm in 1980. He also served as an instructor in accounting for the University of Maryland European division, Louisiana State University, and Southern University. Tommy received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Louisiana State University. He was the recipient of the Elijah Watts Sells Award for one of the ten highest grades in the United States on the November 1967 CPA exam and received the gold medal award for the highest grade in Louisiana on that exam. He later obtained Certified Financial Planner designation. While at LSU he served as President and Vice President of the College of Business, President of his social fraternity, Phi Kappa Theta, and Interfraternity Council Treasurer. He was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and Omicron Delta Kappa. Tommy was a 1963 honor graduate of Catholic High School and National Merit finalist. He was Junior and Senior Class President at Catholic High and Bruin Man of Year. In addition to his business activities he was proudest of his work with non-profit institutions over his career. This included service as member of the vestry and Senior Warden of St. James Episcopal Church, Chairman of St. James Episcopal Day School, Chairman of the Board of St. James Place in Baton Rouge, President and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Episcopal High School, Treasurer of Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation and Vice-Chairman of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. At the time of his death he was a member of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee for the LSU System Research and Technology Foundation being one of its founding members. He brought his own style of servant leadership which resulted in selection to advance the mission of organizations. He was active in other business endeavors such as real estate investing, oil and gas exploration, and organization of several other companies. Many local businesses can attest to his professional and financial assistance in founding and nurturing their growth. Special thanks are given to Dr. Roy G. Kadair, a lifelong friend and physician who cared for him compassionately and competently. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to St. James Episcopal Church, 205 North Fourth Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801, or the USO, P.O. Box 96860, Washington, D.C. 20077-7677.