Rodney Frazier

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Rodney Glen "Rod" Frazier, 54, of State College, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, April 4, 2015, at his home, from a pulmonary embolism.

Born on Nov. 24, 1960, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late George W. and Alpha Ann Markham Frazier.

Rod was a loving and devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, DrueAnne B. Schreyer of State College; his children, Kelly A. Frazier of State College and Charles W. Frazier of San Francisco; a brother, David M. (Randi) Markham of Sikeston, Missouri; a sister, Judi F. (Gary) Blackwell of West Plains, Missouri; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Also several individuals to whom he was a father figure including his niece, Rachel Frazier of Doniphan, Missouri, Khary Barnes of New York, Amir Salih of State College, Tejal Raichura of Danville, Pennsylvania, and Robynne Godfrey of State College.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Frazier, and a nephew.

Rod spent his early childhood in Van Buren, Missouri, along the Current River, and his high school years in Chaffee where he was a 1979 graduate of Chaffee High School, excelled in athletics, and was elected class president. Rod was a 1984 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in business administration.

He moved to Dallas, Texas, and became a restaurant manager. In Dallas, Rod met Drue, and they were married Dec. 14, 1986. Together they welcomed two beautiful children, Kelly and Charlie.

Rod and family moved to Palm Harbor, Florida, where he opened new restaurants for TGI Fridays, and then to State College where he managed the food and beverage for the Nittany Lion Inn. Rod left the inn to focus on the real-estate company he started with his wife and father-in-law, William A. Schreyer, and later partnered with Robert E. Poole and family in their construction business, S&A Homes, where he served as vice president and real-estate broker of record.

He developed a passion for Segway Personal Transporters, and in 2013 opened Happy Valley Tours to provide Segway tours of the Penn State campus and local nature trails.

Rod was a dedicated Pittsburgh Steelers fan, lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, and upon meeting Joe Paterno quickly became a staunch supporter of Penn State sports. Rod frequently attended Penn State basketball games, State College Spikes games, and on Saturdays and Sundays enjoyed watching college and professional football.

He loved family vacations, river float trips, boating and snowmobiling. He was an animal lover, and in recent years enjoyed fostering kittens through PAWS.

Rod's family will be accepting friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Founders Club Lounge at Bryce Jordan Center, 127 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, Pennsylvania. The family requests that gentlemen not wear neckties in honor of Rod's distaste for them, and no flowers due to Drue's allergies.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rodney Frazier Memorial, Chaffee R-2 School District, 517 W. Yoakum Ave., Chaffee, MO 63740. Please make checks payable to "Chaffee R-2 School District" and note on the check that it is for the Rodney Frazier Memorial.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home in State College.

Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.