Ralph "Bud" G. Fraker

Ralph “Bud” Fraker, age 94, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2019, at Vintage Park at Osawatomie, Osawatomie, Kansas.

Ralph Garris Fraker was born on March 3, 1925, in Garnett, Kansas. He was the second child of Ralph Charles and Jessie Blanche Fraker. His sister, Mary Beth, was born October 10, 1919.

He was the fourth generation of the Fraker family to live in Anderson County, Kansas. His great grandfather Daniel Wesley Fraker came by covered wagon from Knox County, Illinois and settled on 80 acres in Section 3 of Monroe Township in 1857. Bud’s father, Ralph Charles Fraker, was born in 1886 in Anderson County, Kansas. He married Jessie Blanche Garris in 1907. Ralph went to work in 1908 in a men’s clothing store and bought a 50% interest with Mr. J.H. Cannon in 1919, then it became Fraker Clothing Co. in 1951. Bud’s class was the first graduating class from Irving School in 1938, he then graduated from Garnett High School with the class of 1943. Bud was a proud Veteran of World War II, serving almost two years in Guam. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy right after graduation, taking his basic training in Faragut, Idaho, before being deployed to Guam. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Bud met Elsie Mae Cox of Welda, Kansas, when they were 16, at a local skating rink held under a tent on East Fourth Avenue. They were married in a San Diego, California Methodist Church on February 3, 1946. This union was blessed with two children, Dan and Vicki. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage, living in Garnett the entire time. Bud joined his father in the clothing business in 1946. Elsie would later work with Bud in the clothing store. In 1977, Bud took over the business after his father died, he remained in business until closing the store and retiring in 1990. After retiring, Bud enjoyed working part time for Raymond Beckman, at Beckman Motors for 29 years.

Bud was a long time member of the Garnett Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a charter member of the VFW Post #6397. He was also a member of the Fuller-Thompson American Legion Post #48, for 70 continuous years. Bud served on the Garnett Airport Advisory Board and was very active in the Garnett Gun Club, he loved hunting and fishing in the area. He was chosen as the 4th generation resident and Grand Marshall of the 2018 Garnett Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas Parade. Bud was a lifetime member of the Garnett First United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He was a lifetime member of the Delphian Lodge #44, Garnett and the Mirza Shrine, Pittsburg. He was a lifetime member of the Anderson County Historical Society, where he was recognized as the 2017 Outstanding Citizen at their 49th Annual Banquet.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elsie on November 12, 2012; sister, Mary Beth Tucker on December 25, 2015.

Bud is survived by his son, Dan Fraker and wife Lynn of Shawnee, Kansas; daughter, Vicki Wilt and husband William of Leawood, Kansas and Phoenix, Arizona; four grandsons, Rod Fraker and wife Megan of Kansas City, Missouri, Brett Fraker of Lenexa, Kansas, Blake Wilt and wife Anna of Leawood,Kansas, Heath Wilt and wife Nicole of Prairie Village, Kansas; eight great grandchildren, Joshua, Lucas, Alaina, Asher, Brooks, Colson, Greyson and Campbell; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at the Garnett First United Methodist Church. Burial with military funeral honors will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Bud’s family will greet friends from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to Garnett First United Methodist Church or Good Shepherd Hospice or Prairie Paws. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .