Tommie Fraley

Tommie Clayton Fraley devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away, peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family Tuesday December 17, 2013. Born November 1, 1930 in a shotgun house on Dallas St. in Dallas Texas. Raised on and around 2nd Ave near Fair Park which he always loved to sneak into. Attended T.C. Hassell Elementary and graduated from Forest Avenue High School in 1948. Married to the love of his life JoAnn Landrum Fraley for 56 wonderful years with a son and daughter. He was a member of Colonial Baptist Church and Ferguson Road Baptist church where he was baptized on August 13, 1969 along side his daughter. Tommie served in the USAF in South Carolina from 1950-1952 and was honorably discharged with excellence. He started his career at Western Electric and NCR. After that he began opening business's of his own including three computer service businesses one of which was located in El Paso Texas. For a brief period he even indulged his family with Fraley's New Zoo Review pet store in Garland Texas. His final business venture would be Fraley's True Value Hardware store in Dallas then Carrollton from 1980 to 1999. He and JoAnn then enjoyed their retirement at Lake Kiowa Texas with a home that overlooked the 14th green of the golf course he loved to play. In 2003 they moved to Lewisville Texas to be closer to all of his family. In Tommie's earlier years he was involved with BBI baseball which he coached and served as President for a time. He was a long time member and President for a term at Eastern Hills Country Club in Garland. One of his passions was to fly and received his license to pilot his own small aircraft which he and JoAnn loved to travel in. He was an avid golfer which he taught and passed down to his son and grandsons. His main calling in life was his family. One of the things he always said was "We have got a great family". Preceded in death by his wife JoAnn Fraley. Survived by son Rick Fraley and wife Linda, daughter Jana Bolin and husband Matt. Grandsons Chad Fraley and wife Kati, Cody White and wife Kate, Justin Fraley and wife Nicole. Great-grandchildren: Hailey White, Hunter White and baby on the way Knox Fraley. Niece Judy Hurse and husband Jeff, Nephew Johnny Fraley. Our family would like to thank Dr. Emmanuel Desai and staff, Dr. Bonnie Floyd and staff, Optimum Home Health Care, Khyra Bosch, ALL the excellent people at New Century Hospice and Grove Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park for all of the wonderful care you gave him for us.

He taught all of us that there would always be change, some good and some not so good but life will go on. The one constant we do know is our Lord. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8. Daddy is comfortable and at peace now. The Christian who suffered from Alzheimer's in this life will be able to look on his Lord with cognition and joy in Heaven! We will close with his favorite saying from Woodman of the World:

"Behold my friends

As you pass by

As you are now

So once was I

As I am now

You soon shall be

So take my hand

and follow me"

DADDY/POP, YOU WILL BE MISSED MORE THAN WORDS COULD EVER SAY BUT WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS UNTIL WE ALL MEET AGAIN!