Montgomery businessman, arts supporter Nimrod Frazer dies at 93
Longtime Montgomery businessman, civic leader and supporter of the military and the arts Nimrod “Rod” Thompson Frazer has died at 93.
So many people in Montgomery and the surrounding area have no idea of the impact Frazer had on their lives, said Anna Buckalew, president and chief executive officer of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. Frazer served as chamber chairman in 2000.
“Rod was an icon in business in so many ways and a steadfast believer in this city and a standard bearer for the preservation of our history and military heritage,” Buckalew said. “He really had a vision for this city along a river with an incredible history. When he was chairman, we opened a visitors center in Union Station. He saw the strong potential for downtown tourism before it took off.
“And with his business, he was a partner in building the infrastructure that allows us to recruit the industry and jobs that are here. So many people who have jobs in our industries have Rod to thank.”
Frazer's impact can be seen today in Montgomery and the state of Alabama. A veteran, he served in combat in Korea and wrote military history books. Frazer commissioned four bronze sculptures from sculptor James Butler of the British Royal Academy. Two of them, called The Rainbow Soldier, honor his father and his fellow soldiers in the 42nd (Rainbow) Division for service in World War I. One stands in France.
He also commissioned a second casting of Daedalus for Maxwell Air Force Base, dedicated to the American fliers in WWI and to his mother, who had worked at Maxwell. His final commission was Return from the Argonne in honor of all soldiers who fought in the Meuse Argonne campaign. The Rainbow Soldier and Return from the Argonne were given to The City of Montgomery and stand in front of Union Station in Montgomery.
His business career began in investment banking for Sterne, Agee and Leach. In 1974, Frazer along with other partners at Thornton Farish and Gauntt joined H. G. Pattillo of Atlanta, to form Industrial Properties, Inc. a development company in Alabama.
In 1976, he and Clifford Lanier started the Frazer Lanier Company. He left the Frazer Lanier Company to become the Crisis Chairman and CEO of Enstar in 1990.
A published author, he focused on military matters and his book “Send the Alabamians: WWI Fighters in the Rainbow Division” that was written about the service of Alabamians in France in 1918. He also wrote “The Best World War I Story I Know, on the Point of the Argonne.” His book describes the battle during Sept. 26 and Oct. 16, 1918.
Frazer first enlisted in the Alabama National Guard while still attending Wilcox County High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1953 and was a tank platoon leader in the Korean War. His military awards and citations include the Silver Star, US Presidential Unit Citation and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
Frazer spent much of his life serving on civic boards to support causes in Montgomery and across the state.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed in a statement described Frazer as a veteran who "upheld the creed of family, state and country."
"His devotion to the Montgomery community was evident by the way that he served Montgomery as vigorously as he did our country," Reed said. "Mr. Frazer's knack for business and industry was only rivaled by his servant heart, and his decades of generous support to causes and cultural institutions throughout our city and state will leave an indelible legacy for generations to come."
He was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 2008 and named as a Knight in the French Order of the Legion of Honor in 2017. He was awarded the highest award of the Daughters of the American Revolution, its Medal of Honor, and awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Huntingdon College. He was also inducted into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor in 2020.
He was married to the former Patricia Lee Martin. They have five children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Montgomery. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either St. John’s Episcopal Church, 113 Madison Ave. Montgomery, Medical Outreach Ministries, 5741 Carmichael Parkway, Montgomery or Hospice of Montgomery, 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery businessman, arts supporter Nimrod Frazer dies at 93
