Leon Frazier

After fighting a valiant battle with prostate cancer, Leon Monroe Frazier (Jr.), 73 of Orem, passed away peacefully Friday, April 28, 2023, surrounded by family at his brother's house. Born January 20, 1950, in Salt Lake City, he was the first child of Leon M. Frazier (Sr.) and Ruth M. Boley Frazier.

Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Southern California where his dad accepted employment with Howard Hughes. Three years later they moved back to Utah to settle in Orem. There Leon attended school K-11. For his Senior year, he went to Provo High School, since he was working as a night watchman at his family's ice skating rink, Winter Gardens, the iconic turtle shell which later became Ream's grocery store in Provo. He then enrolled at BYU, transferring after one year to the University of Utah where he majored in Journalism and Screenwriting. After graduating he wrote a weekly column and sold advertising for the Orem Geneva Times. Later, in the early 80's, he moved to the Los Angeles area to take acting lessons and he worked there for several years at the Universal Studios backlot. After returning to Orem in the mid 90's, he ran a couple of recreation-oriented businesses in Provo Canyon before retiring in 2019.

Leon was a voracious reader on a wide array of subjects. He acquired so many books that he opened and operated a bookstore (Lion's Books) for a few years in downtown Provo. Also, the love for ice skating and ice hockey that he had developed at his family's rink continued throughout his life.

Leon is survived by his siblings Kevin (Hildegunde) of Orem, Sandra Gibson (Val) of Payson, Ruthann Frazier Bales of Saratoga Springs, Karen Frazier of Orem, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 9th at Noon, at Orem City Cemetery 1520 North 800 East, Orem. Time will be made available during the service for anyone wishing to share memories of Leon.

As a family, we would like to thank the staff of Orem Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing for their expert and attentive care over the past month and a half.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the services by clicking HERE