San Francisco-Theo Earl Frazier departed this life on October 27, 2024, in Pittsburg, California at the age of 80. A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 21, 2024, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM at Third Baptist Church 1399 McAllister St. San Francisco, CA 94115, under the caring direction of Dan Scales Funeral Services. A graveside service will be held at noon on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Odd Fellows Cemetery I.O.O.F in Sacramento, CA.
Theo Earl Frazier Sr., lovingly known as Ted or Teddy, was born on December 16, 1943, in Sacramento, California, to Earline Mayra Gray and Theo Lee Arthur Frazier Jr. As the eldest of five siblings, Ted thrived in the spotlight from a young age. He was prominently featured in an article about his father’s service in World War II on the day he was born. Ted was raised in Sacramento and San Francisco. He developed a deep affection for San Francisco, where he spent most of his adult life. Ted graduated from Sacramento High School in 1960. His strong leadership qualities began to emerge early in life, as he served as a crossing guard in elementary school and as a student body officer in high school. After high school, Ted moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to care for his father. While in Kansas City, Ted was active in the Civil Rights Movement. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and participated in several civil rights protests in Kansas City during the 1960s.
Ted returned to his beloved San Francisco in the early 1970s and founded Soul West of San Francisco, which connected models and musicians with performance opportunities all over California, including notable venues such as the San Francisco Civic Auditorium and the California State Fair at Cal Expo. While in college, he developed an interest in local politics and community service. He began to submerge himself in advocating equality, human rights, and affirmative action. Ted was wholeheartedly committed to serving his community. In the 1970s and 1980s, he served as Chairman of the Board at The Community Street Work Center in San Francisco and was involved in the development of the Western Addition Project Area Committee. Ted’s leadership was recognized by Mayor George Moscone, and he was appointed as the Executive Director of the San Francisco Coalition, which oversaw all affirmative action compliance for the Yerba Buena Center, an 87-acre project located in downtown San Francisco. Ted’s work at the Coalition ensured employment for African Americans an other cultures, who would have otherwise been overlooked for jobs on the project. He also contributed as a case manager for the Midnight Basketball Program at the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center and as coordinator for the Teen Fathers Program at Booker T. Washington Community Center. Ted also worked as a consultant for Polytechnic High School and a counselor at Visitacion Valley Middle School, both part of the San Francisco Unified School District. His unwavering commitment to the community led him to a long and impactful career as a community political activist, serving on several mayoral campaigns in San Francisco, including those of George Moscone, Diane Feinstein, Willie Brown, Gavin Newsom, and most recently London Breed. He, along with his longtime friend Percy Pinkney, collaborated on campaigns for Jerry Brown, Diane Feinstein, and Kamala Harris. Ted eventually began to work as a longshoreman in the 2000s, where he dedicated over 20 years of service.
In the early 2000s, Ted was voted in by the Board of Directors to serve as San Francisco Commissioner. He later served as the Public Relations Liaison for the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU). He also founded the Faith-Based Coalition of the San Francisco Bay Area and served as its chairman. His leadership roles included President of the Businessmen’s Fellowship in San Francisco and Vice President of the Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC), which he along with Percy Pinkney founded. Ted was actively involved in the Black Wall Street Project and the California Reparations Committee alongside his friend, Rev. Tony Pierce. Ted worked tirelessly throughout his entire life for the rights of African Americans, the underrepresented, and the underserved. His final act of service to his community was placing his vote for Kamala Harris for president one day before his passing.
A devout Christian, Ted accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age. He entered the ministry in 1988 at the Voice of Pentecost Church in San Francisco and later served as Assistant Pastor. In June 2005, Ted was recognized by the California State Senate and Assembly Legislature for his appointment and installation as Archbishop of San Francisco with the Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple, International. In 2006, Bishop Ted Frazier received special Congressional recognition from Speaker Nancy Pelosi for outstanding and invaluable service to the community at the San Francisco Juneteenth Celebration.
Ted was a devoted father, grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin, and friend. He was known for his strong presence, deep booming voice, unforgettable personality, and vibrant spirit that left a lasting impact on all who knew him. He was a loving father, and he cherished his children with all his heart. Ted embraced his role as a grandfather with a passion, often saying, “There’s always room for one more!”
He was preceded in death by his mother, Earline Mayra Gray; his father, Theo Lee Arthur Frazier Jr.; and two brothers, Ollie and Richard Stewart. He leaves to cherish his memories, two sisters, Marilyn Woods and Donna Dungee; one brother Jim Frazier; eleven children, Donna-Elizabeth Fae Foster (Vernon), Lynnée Hopson (Michael); Tia Caresa Hunnicutt (James), Matthew Earl Frazier (Alexis), Michael Lee Frazier, Tyfany Evonne Frazier, Tricia Earline Frazier (Anthony), Theo Earl Frazier Jr. (Megan), Paul Douglas Frazier, Jasmine Frazier and Sheila Ann Frazier-Brown (J’Juan); 20 grandchildren, Brittany, JoJo, Mecca, Kobe, Paul Jr., Jada, Preston, Austin, Benjamin, Amelia, Elijah, Audrey, Amayah, Ariel, Trevor, Zoe, David, Janae, Jewvontae, and Malayja; 5 great-grandchildren, Kamari, David, Kyndall, Mhalik, and Mekhi; and a host of beloved Aunts, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, and friends.
The community has lost a pillar, leader, mentor, father and a true legend. Ted was loved and will be missed by all who cherished him.