Thomas Jefferson Fraser was born on December 23, 1932 to John Mancy and Velma McNeill (Highley) Fraser. The fourth of nine children, he was named for his grandfathers, Thomas Fraser and Jeffrey Highley. Known to family and friends as T.J., he grew up in Bonne Terre, Missouri, where he received his elementary and high school education, graduating in 1950. T.J. was awarded his Associate's Degree from Flat River Junior College in Park Hills, Missouri, his Bachelor's Degree from Central College in Fayette, Missouri and his Master's Degree of Theology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. T.J. met Virginia Helen Reeves in June of 1954 while they were both doing summer volunteer work for the American Friends Service Committee. They were married September 8, 1956 at the Baptist Church in Chapman, Nebraska. Their union was blessed with four children. Following graduation from seminary in 1957, T.J. accepted a call to the Nebraska United Methodist Church where he served faithfully for 41 years. The churches T.J. served included Genoa, Norfolk, Bloomfield, Gering Trinity, Wauneta, Pawnee City-Dubois-St. John's, Mitchell-Hull, Allen-Dixon, and Chester-Hubbell. TJ retired in 1998 and moved with Virginia to Seward, Nebraska, where he continued his call by serving the Pleasant Dale-Denton-Raymond-Malcolm Circuit. During his ministry he served on various Nebraska Conference committees including the staff of the Conference's Secretary for the United Methodist Conference, the Board of Ministry and was a member of the original Camp Fontanelle Board. A highlight of T.J.'s ministry was being involved in hundreds of weddings and funerals for the families with whom he worked and loved. T.J. was a "people person" and never passed up an opportunity to visit with anyone he met. T.J.'s broad interest in political and social issues resulted in his active participation in many local and statewide groups, including the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association of Nebraska (1977-1987), the Civil Air Patrol (Chaplain for 15 years), the Democratic Party (serving in many capacities, including on the Central Committee of the Nebraska Democratic Party and participating in the 1968 Democratic National Convention), the Advisory Council on Hospital and Medical Facilities for the State of Nebraska, the Nebraska Judicial Resources Commission and Boy Scouts of America (including leadership positions at the district level). T.J. was also involved in service organizations including the Lions Club, Rotary and Kiwanis in communities where he lived. He was trained as an Emergency Medical Technician. Most recently, T.J. served as a volunteer at Seward Memorial Hospital for 10 years. An avid reader, T.J.'s interests covered a broad spectrum. He was a student of history, followed the Cubbies and Cardinals, and enjoyed studying aviation, railroads and maps. Traveling was a special hobby. He had been in all 50 states. His greatest pride and joy were his six grandchildren. T.J. passed away in Seward, Nebraska on August 10, 2015 at the age of 82 years, 7 months, 18 days. Missing him are his wife of 58 years, Virginia; his sons, Thomas L. Fraser of New York City, Theodore P. Fraser and wife, Barbara of Lincoln, daughter, Laurel E. Asness and husband, Clifford of Greenwich, CT; grandchildren, Emma Fraser and Brooke Fraser of Lincoln and Leo Asness, Katherine Asness, Charles Asness and Grace Asness, all of Greenwich, CT. Also surviving is one sister, Noel Tapp and husband, George of Viburnum, MO; sisters-in-law, Natalie Fraser of St. Louis, MO and Sharon Fraser of Poplar Bluff, MO; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Don and Barbara Reeves of Oberlin, OH, Ed and Kay Owens of Central City and Ladd and Jan Reeves of Archer; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Paul Jon in 1963; parents, John M. and Velma Fraser; brothers, John A. Fraser, Dr. Richard Fraser, Dwight Fraser, Edwin Fraser and sisters, Carolyn Fraser, Candace Fraser and Nancy Townsend. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with T.J.