George Donald "Don" Fraley

George Donald "Don" Fraley, age 90 years of Sarasota Fl, died November 22, 2022. He was born in Beattyville, Kentucky October 21, 1932 to the late Lonnie Fraley and late Nellie Stamper Fraley. He was formerly married to the late Betty Davis Fraley. He is survived by their 5 children: Mike Fraley (friend Terry) of Bradenton FL, Pam Fraley Lambert (Greg) of Kannapolis NC, Susan Fraley White of Atlanta GA, John Fraley (Teresa) of Orlando FL, and Jennifer Fraley Clarke (Chris) of Raleigh NC. There are 10 grandchildren: Erin Lambert Drucker, Stephen Lambert, Benjamin Lambert, Alex White, Preston White, Stephanie Fraley, Jonathan Fraley, Isabella Fraley, Davis Clarke, Jamie Clarke. 3 Great Grandchildren: Emelyn Lambert, Freddie Drucker, and Scott Drucker. He was formerly married to the late Joan Fraley. Don and his brother Gene Fraley were raised by their great grandparents and then later by their grandmother Vivian Vanderpoole Fraley in Cincinnati OH. The family had moved there for work during the depression. He began his military experiences with the Ohio Army National Guard at 15 yrs old, while still attending high school. He then joined the US Navy during the Korean conflict in 1950. He was on ships and later assigned as a Navy Medical Corpsman to the Bethesda Naval Hospital near Washington DC. During this time he met and married his wife Betty. Upon completing his service he attended The University of Tennessee in Knoxville TN on the GI Bill and graduated in 1958 with a Business Administration degree. He had a successful career with General Motors Company in the automobile business. Beginning his career in Birmingham AL, then promoted to Jacksonville FL, New Orleans LA, and Huntsville AL. In 1970 he moved to Sarasota FL with his family where he built a multi franchise dealership and was President /Owner of "Fraley Oldsmobile", located on S Tamiami Trail for decades. Throughout his career he received awards and honors with GM which included winning trips to many countries around the world. With GM he served in leadership roles on dealer councils, helping the individual dealership owners in the region with concerns and ways to improve the company. His business thrived and he retired in the 1990's selling his company to his former employer where he began his career, Royal Oldsmobile. He had a consulting role with other dealerships for a time. He was active in several business organizations and social clubs and had many great friends. He was on the board of directors for the United Way in the 1980's he received the "Angel Award". It was his greatest privilege to be on the Board of Directors of the Wilson- Wood Foundation since 1985, about 37 years, This foundation helps children and the elderly, as well as the blind and the needs of many in the community. These are the things he also cared deeply about and he was very generous with his time and service. In the mid 2000's he began to lose his eyesight and his life changed. After years of this he moved into an assisted living home, which he enjoyed for 4 years. He had a fall in January 2019 and his life changed again. He lived in nursing homes in Sarasota for almost 4 years. He declined in health and he endured much suffering. Because of his strong will to live, he pushed through and was very brave. He had such a "drive" and wanted to keep trying and (as Winston Churchill said) to "Never, Never, Never give up". He celebrated his 90th birthday this past October. He was amazed to have such a long life. George Donald Fraley was brought up a Catholic and was baptized again at the First Baptist Church in Washington DC. He was a member of the Church of the Palms Presbyterian and Pine Shores Presbyterian several years ago. A memorial service to honor his life will be Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 2:00 at Toale Brothers Funeral Home in the Colonial Chapel at 40 N Orange Ave Sarasota FL 34236. Visitation of friends will be prior to the service 1:00- 2:00. Military honors will be presented at his interment at Sarasota Memorial Park in a private family service. Memorials may be made to: CASL (Community Assisted and Supported Living) 2911 Fruitville Rd Sarasota FL 34237. -Or - Southeastern Guide Dogs, (for the blind). 4210 77th St E, Palmetto, FL 34221

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George Donald "Don" Fraley

October 21, 1932 - November 22, 2022