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Dr. Rodney Bernard Frazier, Sr., pastor of Restoration Church in Cedar Hill, died unexpectedly June 29. He was 62.
The Dallas native, affectionately called “Rod,” was also an educator, musician and producer.
Born on January 13, 1961, to Vada Glenda Frazier and Roscoe Randall, Frazier became a prolific musician and served as a mentor to fellow musicians throughout D-FW and across the United States.
During his music career, he served with some of the largest labels and well-known artists as a songwriter, keyboard player, and music producer — including producing under music great Quincy Jones.
In 1995, Frazier earned a Grammy nomination for Gospel Music Producer and received the Gospel Music Workshop of America Gospel Album of the Year award for co-producing fellow Texan Kirk Franklin’s multiplatinum debut album, Why We Sing.
The entertainment, spiritual and education communities are reacting to the news.
Radio executive and personality Drew Dawson, formerly of Dallas KHVN Radio and Georgia Public Radio, expressed the sentiments of many.
“This is such tragic news. Rodney was a blessings (sic) to the world ... I pray God’s peace for the family and all who were fortunate enough to have crossed Rodney’s path.”
Pastor Dave Largent wrote, “Rodney was an incredibly loving and encouraging brother in Christ.”
Frazier’s grandmother Lola Frazier, a trained pianist, gave Frazier, as a child, private piano lessons. Those numerous hours of instruction on the piano, as well as other instruments, produced dividends, leading Frazier to many stages, mainly in the church, but also in the secular world of music.
Throughout his early education in the Dallas Independent School District, graduating in 1978 with honors from Skyline High School, Frazier honed his craft. He attended UT-Arlington, graduating in 1981 with a B.A. in music education.
He went on to earn an M.A. in education administration from Texas Woman’s University in 1998, an M.A. in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2003, and a doctor of ministry from The King’s University in 2013.
Frazier was the keyboardist for the band, Atlantic Starr, appearing in McDonald’s commercials, performing on the hit show Soul Train, and much more as a member of the iconic R&B band.
Keeping his feet firmly planted in his hometown, he was the keyboardist for the local group, The MAC Band, which included Ray Flippin, Mark Harper, Slye Fuller, and The McCampbell Brothers (Ray, Charles, Derrick and Kelvin McCampbell). The MAC Band is best remembered for its 1988 hit “Roses Are Red,” which reached No. 11 on the R&B Chart and Top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
Frazier then entered the ministry full time, serving as associate pastor of worship and fine arts at Concord Church under the late Dr. E. K. Bailey. He also served as minister of music for Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church before becoming the founding pastor of New Beginnings Community Fellowship in Cedar Hill.
Frazier served his community in numerous other capacities. He worked for more than 20 years as a fine arts teacher and campus administrator for DISD. He was a chaplain’s assistant and placement specialist for African American graduates at Dallas Theological Seminary; worked with the Dallas Opera to increase minority recruitment; taught as an adjunct professor at both Dallas College and Southern Bible Institute & College; served as chaplain for the Cedar Hill Police Department, and taught music at Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy.
Anitra Felicia Frazier described her husband as a devoted father of three with such an amazing sense of humor that he would make “people laugh so hard that their sides hurt.”
But more than anything, she said, “Rodney’s desire was to see people saved. He loved pouring into people and teaching those who had never encountered Christ for themselves to want to do so.”
His memory will be cherished in the hearts of his wife, Anitra; three children, Rodney Frazier, Jr. (Kelly), Leah Frazier, and Meagan Frazier; two grandchildren, Joshua and Nicholas Frazier.
Visiting hours will be held on July 14, 3 p.m.-8 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, 6449 University Hills Blvd., Dallas.
Services are at 11 a.m.July 15. in the Legacy Building at Concord Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr., Dallas. Viewing begins at 9 a.m.
This obituary, originally published in Texas Metro News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and TMN. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
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