Charles Edmund Fraher Jr.

Charles Edmund Fraher, Jr known to most as “Charley,”age 96, died peacefully on January 12, 2024 at home with his family in Birmingham, AL. Charley was a man of great integrity with a strong will determined to seek God’s will, and he was just so much fun. His love for the Lord coated his days from his youth until his death. He spoke of serving as an altar boy at 6:30 a.m. daily Mass until he was “taller than the priest,” and daily Mass was the start of his day for most of his life. Second only to God was his love for his family. “Laughter filled the house” of his childhood in Independence, MO. with his parents Glenna Lynch and Charles Fraher, his cherished sisters Shirley and Jeanne, and his beloved brother Jimmy. His own home was also filled with love and joy when he married his much adored Jerry and raised their children, Pat and Tracy, in Louisiana. He later adored his daughter-in-law, Mandy, and son-in-law, John. He often quoted Jesus saying “Let the children come to me” in his desire for a childlike faith but also in recognizing children as a treasure. His enormously treasured grandchildren and great grandchildren have fun “Papa” memories of back scratches with his comb, delicious early breakfasts, boat rides, fishing and listening to all his amazing stories.

Charley enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and served on a destroyer in the South Pacific. His time at sea and duties as driver of the captain’s whale boat fostered his love and skill of boating and being on the water in Louisiana and in his and Jerry’s treasured home on Graham Greek in their retirement in Foley, Alabama. Charley’s mind for numbers and love of people made him a great salesman, a self described “peddler.” He spent most of his career with Jantzen menswear and left the company with so many awards and close friends that the company had its first (and maybe last) roast as his retirement send off. Charley was born a Missouri Mule, but when Jantzen gave him the New Orleans territory, he and Jerry truly embraced the Louisiana lifestyle. He was a loyal Saints fan, fried the best seafood, loved his wife’s gumbo yaya and enjoyed fishing all over the state with his favorite fishing buddy, his son Pat. Many friends and grandchildren enjoyed a day with him fishing, eating and laughing. Charley was also a scratch golfer and exceptionally skilled at cards, pool and other games that gave family and friends many funny tales to tell and memories to cherish.

Charley is preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley Louise Fraher, sister Jeanne Fraher Hare and brother-in-law Joe Hare and brother Jimmy Fraher. He is survived by his “lovely” wife of almost 60 years, Jerry. Left to follow his example of a well ordered and thoroughly enjoyed life are his children Pat Fraher (Mandy), Tracy Bragg (John), grandchildren Dabney Bragg Malugani (Ty), Sarah Louise Bragg, Charles Clark Bragg, John Patrick Bragg, Sydney Jeanne Fraher, and Fletcher Patrick Fraher, great grandchildren Harrison Charles Malugani, Bennett Jude Malugani and Rosemary Dabney Malugani. He has many caring and beloved nieces and nephews, grand and great in the Hare, Riley, Nelson, Salva and Waldholtz families.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., Cathedral of Saint Paul, 2120 3rd Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama. There will be a visitation at 1:30 PM in the church prior to Mass.