Myron A. Frasier

Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on September 26, 1938, Myron Frasier, the oldest son of Andrew Solon and Ruth Mae Frasier, grew up in a large and loving family which included his sisters Carol, Arlene, Doris, Luana, and Luacia and his brother Alan. All of them preceded him in death, most recently his beloved sister Luana, with whom he had a particularly close relationship in their later years, often spending hours talking on the phone, reliving memories and sharing current experiences. Growing up, Myron was a constant companion of Arlene, the two of them often finding themselves in trouble after having goaded one another into exploits neither would have dared alone. A mischievous child at heart, when Myron wasn't lying in a cornfield imagining he could solve the problems of the world in his head, he was terrorizing his sisters, often to his detriment when they turned the tables on him. Myron graduated from Otsego High School after three years of excelling in sports, participating in 4H and attending just the right amount of classes to keep his parents from tanning his hide too often! A testament to his commitment to his friends, Myron was still in contact with some of his high school classmates 70 years later. Myron met his wife Ann in Sunday school in Kalamazoo and by their third date he knew she was the one. They married in November of 1960 and started their family the next year in a house next to Myron’s parents, where they had no running water and a coal furnace. They progressed quickly from there, moving down the street to the house at 9250 West Main, the house in which all the children were raised. His career began as a family affair when his uncle Art Linard offered him a chance to get hired at Michigan Bell as a lineman, climbing telephone poles and stringing phone line in all manner of weather. While he loved being outdoors and solving problems in the field, the needs of a growing family convinced him to seek promotion, and he quickly rose through the ranks at Michigan Bell, becoming the first Black manager outside of Detroit in the state of Michigan. Myron retired in 1996 from SBC Ameritech after nearly 40 years of service culminating as Director of Network Technical Training. His career took him to residences in Benton Harbor, Comstock, Lansing, and finally Southfield, where he and the family resided from 1980. In every place they lived, Myron’s lifelong commitment to community service extended to organizations such as the board of directors at Karmanos Cancer Institute, Common Ground, Southfield Goodfellows, Dominion Family Services, Southfield MLK Jr. Task Force, JVS Advisory Board, Southfield Public School Partnership Council, and many others. And his volunteerism didn’t stop there. He served as a band parent for his daughters, Little League coach, Cub Scout parent volunteer, and PTA president, to name a few. In 1984, as President of the Telephone Pioneers, he was given the honor of carrying the U.S. Olympic torch during that summer’s Olympic celebration. He initially was supposed to carry it for only one mile, but when his relief bearer didn’t show up, Myron hitched up his britches and ran the final mile into Hart Plaza. Another achievement Myron was particularly proud of was using his telephone company contacts to obtain the 1-800-KARMANOS phone number for Karmanos Cancer Institute. Never one to turn down an adventure, Myron once hiked the length of Isle Royale National Park with his son Michael and said afterward that it was the hardest physical thing he’d done in his life, was glad he did it and wouldn’t do it again in a million years. He also traveled to Japan with Ann to visit their son Ron when he was stationed there, and after retirement from Ameritech, he took a road trip with Ann to the west coast, where his daughter Michele lived at the time, the source of more stories than can be told here (or should be). He also was a celebrity reader on several occasions in the classroom where his daughter Marie taught. As a Southfield City Councilman for over 20 years, Myron served as Council President, President Pro Tem, Chair of Council Boards & Commissions, Council Finance Committee Chair, Council Legislation Committee Chair, and Neighborhood Services Committee Chair. He also dedicated his time and leadership to the Southfield Wildlife Commission, Charter Review Committee, and the Green Dolphin Homeowners Association, reflecting his deep commitment to strengthening neighborhoods and preserving the quality of life for Southfield residents. Beyond the City Council, Myron served on numerous local, regional, and national organizations including the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials(MBC-LEO), and the National League of Cities. Myron will be remembered not only for his distinguished public service, but also for his compassion, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to family and community. His legacy of leadership and service will continue to inspire generations for years to come. Myron often said that he worked to feed his family, but he volunteered to feed his soul. He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife Ann, who preceded him in death, and a dedicated father to sons Michael (Laurie) and Myron, daughters Michele (Doug) and Marie (Brent) and was intensely, unwaveringly proud of his grandchildren Andrew, Michael, Brandon, Travis, Jason, Jordan, Jacob and Celia.

Myron A. Frasier

September 26, 1938 - May 17, 2026